The Jerusalem Post - Israel News

Israel National Team

Blue-and-White eyes second win as World Cup qualifying heats up

The team that will face Estonia will be composed of some of the veteran Israeli players as well as a number of up-and-coming stars.

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
OSCAR GLOUKH, still just 21, is expected to play a key role in Israel’s World Cup qualifier tonight at Estonia and in the following friendly against Slovakia.
ISRAEL COACH Ran Ben Shimon had to make a number of difficult roster decisions ahead of the upcoming international window of contests.

Ben Shimon preps Israel squad for World Cup qualifiers vs Estonia, Slovakia

The blue-and-white team aims to improve its record of one win and one loss, seeking another victory against the Estonians, whom they defeated in March.

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
Gadi Kinda – pictured above in 2023 during his MLS tenure with Sporting Kansas City – passed away this week at 31, with the Israeli midfielder leaving a legacy of talent, humility, and grace both on and off the field.

From the pitch to our hearts: The life and legacy of beloved Gadi Kinda

“This is the biggest tragedy to hit the club since the death of Avi Ran in 1987,” said a senior official at Maccabi Haifa.

|ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
AA Gent's Stefan Mitrovic in action with Maccabi Haifa's Gadi Kinda on February 15, 2024.

Former Israel National Team player Gadi Kinda dies at 31

Kinda had been battling a serious medical condition for the past several weeks, and had received several messages of support from the Israeli soccer community.

|ByOPHIR SAAR, SHLOMO WEISS

Maccabi Tel Aviv: A legacy of Holocaust remembrance through three generations

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Rafi Menco opens up about his family’s Holocaust history, the meaning behind the club’s yellow jersey, and what it means to carry their legacy forward.

APRIL 24, 2025
ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
THE GRANDSON of Holocaust survivors, Maccabi Tel Aviv and Israel forward Rafi Menco carries memory, pride, and resilience into every game.

Israel edges Estonia 2-1 to start 2026 World Cup qualifiers with a win

Eli Dasa’s first international goal secures Israel’s 2-1 victory over Estonia in World Cup qualifying match.

MARCH 24, 2025
ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
ISRAEL DEFENDER Eli Dasa (right) scores his side’s second goal past Estonia ’keeper Matvei Igonen in the 75th minute of the blue-and-white 2-1 World Cup qualification victory at Nagyerdei Stadion in Debrecen, Hungary.

National Team set for World Cup qualifiers against Estonia and Norway in Hungary

Ahead of the two matches, head coach Ran Ben Shimon addressed various topics, including the starting goalkeeper decision and squad selection. 

MARCH 21, 2025
ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
ISRAEL HAS a pivotal weekend ahead in World Cup qualifying, with matches against Estonia and Norway on tap, with the blue-and-white ‘hosting’ in Debrecen, Hungary.

Eyes on 2026: Road to World Cup begins for the Israel national team

Despite some nerves, the blue-and-white are working hard to make their 2026 World Cup dreams a reality

DECEMBER 18, 2024
ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
MANOR SOLOMON (pictured above in a Israel-Belarus Euro 2024 qualifier in September 2023) and the National Team hope to soon get back to playing at Bloomfield Stadium as the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign is set to kick off.

Israel National Team defeats Belgium 1-0, in first win of the campaign

Shua’s late strike lifts Ben Shimon & Co. to landmark Nations League conquest of Belgium

NOVEMBER 18, 2024
ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
ISRAEL TEAMMATES Daniel Peretz (left) and Raz Shlomo celebrate after the blue-and-white beat Belgium 1-0 late Sunday in Nations League action in Budapest.

Italians beat the Israeli national team in Nations League game

The Israeli national teams gives it their best in the Nations League.

OCTOBER 15, 2024
ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
Playing in a Nations League group with powerhouses Italy, France and Belgium has been humbling for Israel.

Ben Saraf takes leadership role for blue-and-white at U18 Euros - Interview

Just before taking to the court in Finland, Saraf spoke to The Jerusalem Post about the upcoming tournament, his future in Germany and much, much more.

JULY 30, 2024
ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
ISRAELI TEENAGER Ben Saraf is one of the top international prospects looking ahead to the 2025 NBA Draft and the electric guard is co-captaining the blue-and-white at the ongoing U18 Euros.

Israel aims for Olympic glory in Paris amid high security and historic challenges - editorial

There will be 88 Israeli competitors at the Paris Games, its second-largest Olympic delegation, two fewer than in Tokyo three years ago.

JULY 26, 2024
Paris 2024 Olympics - Football - Men's Group D - Mali vs Israel - Parc des Princes, Paris, France - July 24, 2024. Israel players line up during the national anthems before the match.

Israel’s Olympic soccer team set for historic return at Paris Games

Head Coach Guy Luzon’s team qualified for the Olympics as one of four European squads after a strong performance at last summer’s Under-21 UEFA European Championships.

JULY 22, 2024
ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
SEAN GOLDBERG (left) of Maccabi Haifa, is one of Israel’s over-age players for the Olympic tournament, which the blue-and-white will kick off on Wednesday against Mali.

Ben Shimon stoked for blue-and-white debut

National Team returns to pitch with friendlies against Hungary and Belarus as new coach charts course

JUNE 7, 2024
ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
Israel National Team coach Ran Ben Shimon.

JP Tokoto flying high in Ramat Gan, helps promoted club find early success, eyes playing for Israel

As the team celebrated yet another win to move the top-tier newcomer into third place in the league standings, the ever-so-humble Tokoto didn’t want to make too much of the dunk.

MARCH 8, 2024
ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
JP TOKOTO has spent a number of years playing in Israel for different teams, and the 30-year-old forward is making an impact this season with Maccabi Ironi Ramat Gan.