Soccer

Irish athletes group urges national team to boycott matches against Israeli soccer team

Irish Sport for Palestine said the signatories included Olympian Ciara Mageean, former footballer Louise Quinn, former rugby flyhalf Tony Ward, and boxers Tyrone McKenna and Eric Donovan.

Demonstrators hold a banner urging the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) to boycott upcoming UEFA fixtures with Israel, in support of Palestinians during a protest in relation to the ceasefire in Gaza, in Dublin, Ireland, February 21, 2026.
Tai Baribo #9 of DC United chases down the ball against St. Louis CITY FC at Audi Field on May 16, 2026 in Washington; illustrative.

'Messi will take MLS Golden Boot, that does not interest me,' Israeli star soccer striker to 'Post'

MACCABI TEL AVIV has emerged as the early frontrunner in the Israeli Premier League championship race after a perfect 4-0 start to the season.

Maccabi Tel Aviv firing on all cylinders as perfect start to season continues

MACCABI TEL AVIV'S Dor Peretz celebrates the 4-1 victory over Hapoel in the Tel Aviv derby, a win that kept the yellow-and-blue atop the Israel Premier League table with a perfect 4-0 record.

Sokler leads Maccabi Tel Aviv past Hapoel Beersheba to maintain perfect season start


Israel's Toto Equals wins fourth place in Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup

The Toto Equals, which consisted of nine Special Olympics athletes with disabilities and seven Unified partners without disabilities, competed against teams from 11 other nations.

The Toto Equals football team that represented Israel at the Special Olympics Unified World Cup in Paris 2026.

Former soccer players show brain changes but no cognitive decline, researchers find

The study, by researchers at Imperial College London, included 142 former players aged between 30 and 60 and compared them to 56 similarly aged healthy people with no history of contact sports.

Argentina players celebrate after the match as Argentina qualify for the semi finals of the World Cup.

South Africa's Jayden Adams, 25, dies after playing in World Cup

No official cause of death was released. "The South African Football Players Union (SAFPU) is devastated by the untimely passing of Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana midfielder Jayden Adams.

Jayden Adams of South Africa runs with the ball during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A match between Mexico and South Africa at Mexico City Stadium on June 11, 2026.

Is Lionel Messi a Zionist? The Argentine soccer star’s long history with Jewish and Israeli life

Some critics of Israel have surfaced his past activities and affiliations to make the case that opposing Argentina is the anti-Zionist choice. Many Israelis, meanwhile, favor the team.

Lionel Messi, then with FC Barcelona, puts a paper with wishes in a crack in the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest site, in Jerusalem during a team trip to Israel and the West Bank, Aug. 4, 2013.

A Messi conspiracy: Egyptian pundit blames Israel for Egypt's World Cup loss against Argentina

"We played like heroes, but Israel - meaning FIFA and the referees - had something to say about it, and we couldn't overcome these circumstances," said Egyptian commentator Mohammed Nour.

Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina celebrates with teammates after the 3-2 victory during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt at Atlanta Stadium on July 07, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Arab Israeli soccer star Anan Khalaili to join Inter Milan in record transfer for Israeli player

According to the report, Khalaili will be transferred to Inter Milan for 25 million euros, with a salary of approximately 2 million euros per season, including bonuses.

Union's Anan Khalaili pictured during a friendly soccer game between Diegem Sport and Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, in Diegem, on Tuesday 30 June 2026.

Crest worn by Messi, Argentina’s soccer team designed by Jewish superfan 50 years ago

Fifty years later, the crest remains largely unchanged and is one of the most widely worn team logos in the world, with Messi jerseys popular worldwide.

Left: The 1976 letter telling Norberto Rud that his design had been chosen as the Argentine Football Association's official crest; at right, Rud's son Oliver wears a jersey featuring his father's design.

Good thing it's over: Cristiano Ronaldo’s cult of personality became unbearable - opinion

"In today’s media climate, the individualists with the most Instagram likes are celebrated, while players who know how to connect with their teammates are left to the soccer nerds."

Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal in tears after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 16 match between Portugal and Spain at Dallas Stadium on July 6, 2026 in Arlington, United States.

Trump intervention prompts FIFA to reverse World Cup red card ban for US striker Folarin Balogun

The unprecedented move has thrust FIFA's disciplinary process into the global spotlight and prompted an angry response from Belgium, which plays the US on Monday for a place in the quarter-finals.

Folarin Balogun of the US is shown a red card by referee Raphael Claus on July 1, 2026.

Humanoid robot Atlas delivers match ball during Brazil v Norway FIFA World Cup game

The robot, presented by tournament sponsor Hyundai Motor, has previously danced and engaged in parkour.

Hyundai robot Atlas brings the match ball out before the second half of the Brazil v Norway FIFA World Cup game, July 5, 2026.