Sports

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.
Maccabiah team sports photo July 8, 2026.

Reporter's notebook: At the Maccabiah, I found more than a medal

A PIXELLOT automated camera provides live coverage of Maccabiah competitions.

Pixellot expands Maccabiah coverage to bring Games to global Jewish communities

ISRAEL WILL look to regroup after a disappointing international window that raised questions about the national team’s future.

Loss to Croatia caps miserable qualifying window for Israel


Maccabi Tel Aviv beats Hapoel Holon 107-93 in semifinal opener

Maccabi Tel Aviv opened its semifinal series with a 107‑93 win over Hapoel Holon, playing before empty stands due to recent missile alerts.

MACCABI TEL AVIV’S Roman Sorkin shoots for two of his 21 points in the yellow-and-blue’s 107-93 victory over Hapoel Holon in Game 1 of their semifinal series.

‘No means no!’ Carolina fans boo Vegas’s Carter Hart at first two games of NHL Stanley Cup finals

“Whether he is guilty or not, by moral or legal standards, is irrelevant to the Canes (Carolina Hurricanes) fans using it to get under his skin in a Stanley Cup Finals series," one fan wrote.

Carter Hart #79 of the Vegas Golden Knights prepares for Game Three of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final against the Carolina Hurricanes at T-Mobile Arena on June 06, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

World Cup isn't behind Trump's push for Iran deal, White House WC chief tells 'Post' - interview

In an exclusive interview, Andrew Giuliani, the US officer overseeing the World Cup, said the White House wants the world to come to the United States for the tournament.

 Andrew Giuliani, the senior White House official overseeing the World Cup.

Hapoel Tel Aviv wins first game in basketball series on technicality after Iran missiles

Despite Tel Aviv being awarded the game on the court after the game was abandoned, the Israel Basketball Association will issue a final ruling on the situation at a later time.

BASKETBALL OFFICIALS and police confer while deciding to halt Game 1 of the semifinals between Hapoel Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem as fans (inset) exit Yad Eliyahu. (Yehuda Halickman)

Maccabiah launches five-day sports festival at Expo Tel Aviv

Organized by Maccabi World Union, the festival is designed to bring Israelis closer to the Maccabiah experience while providing a family-friendly destination during the school break.

EXPO TEL AVIV will be the venue for the 'Maccabiah City' sports festival ahead of this summer's Games, which open on July 1. (Maccabiah/Courtesy)

Israel Olympics icon Yael Arad awarded Chaim Herzog prize

Israel’s first Olympic medalist, Yael Arad, made history in 1992 when she became the first Israeli to win an Olympic medal, claiming silver in judo at the Barcelona Olympics.

YAEL ARAD (center) poses with the Chaim Herzog Presidential Award at a ceremony at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem.

World Cup 2026: Why millions of Iranians refuse to cheer for the regime’s team - opinion

When a state actively wages war against the core pillars of a country’s heritage, any institution operating under its direct banner loses its national legitimacy. 

Official FIFA World Cup 2026 host city poster collection. Toronto, Canada.

Hapoel Tel Aviv, Jerusalem tip off semifinal series

After falling at home in Game 1, the Reds needed to dig deep, both mentally and physically, to take Game 2 on the road and then Game 3 back at Yad Eliyahu.

HAPOEL TEL AVIV guard Vasilije Micic sparked a series comeback against Maccabi Rishon Lezion and now will lead the Reds in the semifinals vs Hapoel Jerusalem.

Israeli soccer superstar Daniel Peretz signs permanent four-year deal with Southampton

Israeli soccer superstar Daniel Peretz has completed a permanent move from Bayern Munich to Southampton, signing a four-year deal as the Championship club targets Premier League promotion.

 ISRAELI GOALKEEPER Daniel Peretz has completed a permanent move to Southampton after playing a key role in the club’s impressive run last season.

Iran World Cup players granted visas to enter the US, says White House official

Secretary of State Rubio said the US would bar IRGC-linked individuals from Iran’s World Cup delegation, raising potential visa concerns for some team members.

Members of Iran's national soccer team attend a farewell ceremony ahead of their departure to the 2026 World Cup in Tehran, Iran, May 13, 2026.