Football in Israel

Football (Hebrew: כַּדוּרֶגֶל, Kaduregel, lit.'legball'), also known as Soccer, is the most popular sport in Israel.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] Football as an organised sport, first developed in the United Kingdom, who controlled Mandatory Palestine during the days of the British Mandate.

Football in Israel
Teddy Stadium, home of Israel national football team and two Israeli clubs
CountryIsrael
Governing bodyIsrael Football Association
National team(s)Men's national team
National competitions
Club competitions
International competitions

The Israel Football Association joined the Asian Football Confederation in 1954, but was expelled in 1974 due to political pressure from Arab and Muslim members in the context of the Arab–Israeli conflict. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the Israel Football Association was not affiliated with any confederation. During this period, the Israeli national teams were only playing in FIFA competitions occasionally in OFC, UEFA and CONMEBOL qualifying tournaments. Finally, it was admitted to UEFA as an associate member in 1992 and as a full member in 1994, therefore their teams compete as part of Europe in all international competitions.

Israel Football Association

The Israel Football Association (IFA) is the governing body of football in the State of Israel. All of Israel's professional football clubs must be members, and hundreds of semi-professional and amateur clubs also belong.[8][9]

League system

As of the 19-20 season, the Israeli football league system has five levels and 16 different divisions, all run by the IFA. Promotion and relegation operate between each level, allowing clubs to progress from bottom to top within four seasons.

Structure

The current structure of the Israeli league system is this:

  • Israeli Premier League: the top division operates at the national level and has 14 member clubs
  • Liga Leumit: the second division operates at the national level and has 16 member clubs
  • Liga Alef: the third division is split into two regional leagues (north and south) and has 32 member clubs (16 in each division)
  • Liga Bet: the fourth division is split into four regional leagues (two in the north, two in the south) and has 64 member clubs (16 in each division)
  • Liga Gimel: the fifth division is split into eight regional leagues and has 114 member clubs (between 11 and 16 in each division)

Cups

In Israel, there are two major cup competitions: the State Cup and the Toto Cup.

State Cup

The State Cup (Hebrew: גביע המדינה, Gvia HaMedina) is the Israeli equivalent of the English FA Cup, and is open to all Israeli clubs, with clubs at the higher levels entering in the later rounds. It is a straightforward knock-out cup. The winner qualifies for the UEFA Europa Conference League.

Toto Cup

The Toto Cup (Hebrew: גביע הטוטו, Gvia HaToto) is the Israeli equivalent of the English League Cup, the main difference being that there is a separate cup for the top and second divisions. The cup is played first in a group stage, with the highest placed teams qualifying for the knock-out stages. The winner does not qualify for the UEFA Europa Conference League.

Title Holders

SeasonLeague ChampionsState Cup holderToto Cup holder
1928–29 (       SC) Not HeldHapoel Tel Aviv
Maccabi Hasmonean Jerusalem
Not Held
1929–30 (       SC) Maccabi Tel Aviv
1930–31 (       SC)
1931–32 (PL) British PoliceNot Held
1932–33 (PL, SC) Not HeldBritish Police
1933–34 (PL, SC) Hapoel Tel AvivMaccabi Tel Aviv
1934–35 (PL, SC) Hapoel Tel AvivHapoel Tel Aviv
1935–36 (PL, SC) Maccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Petah Tikva
1936–37 (PL) Not Held
1937        (PL, SC) Maccabi Tel AvivHapoel Tel Aviv
1938        (PL, SC) Hapoel Tel AvivHapoel Tel Aviv
1939        (       SC) Not HeldHapoel Tel Aviv
1940        (PL, SC) Hapoel Tel AvivBeitar Tel Aviv
1941–42 (PL, SC) Maccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Tel Aviv
1942–43 (PL, SC) Not FinishedBeitar Tel Aviv
1943–44 (PL) Hapoel Tel AvivNot Official
1944–45 (PL)
1945–46 Not Held
1946–47 (PL, SC) Maccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Tel Aviv
1947–48 (PL, SC) Not FinishedMaccabi Tel Aviv
1948–49 (PL) Not Held
1949–50 (PL) Maccabi Tel Aviv
1950–51 Not Held
1951–52 (PL, SC) Maccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Petah Tikva
1952–53 Not Held
1953–54 (PL, SC) Maccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Tel Aviv
1954–55 (PL, SC) Hapoel Petah TikvaMaccabi Tel Aviv
1955–56 (PL) Maccabi Tel AvivNot Held
1956–57 (PL, SC) Hapoel Tel AvivHapoel Petah Tikva
1957–58 (PL, SC) Maccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Tel Aviv
1958–59 (PL, SC) Hapoel Petah TikvaMaccabi Tel Aviv
1959–60 (PL) Not Held
1960–61 (PL, SC) Hapoel Tel Aviv
1961–62 (PL, SC) Maccabi Haifa
1962–63 (PL, SC) Hapoel Haifa
1963–64 (PL, SC) Hapoel Ramat GanMaccabi Tel Aviv
1964–65 (PL, SC) Hakoah Ramat Gan
1965–66 (PL, SC) Hapoel Tel AvivHapoel Haifa
1966–67 (PL, SC) Maccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Tel Aviv
1967–68 (       SC) Bnei Yehuda
1968–69 (PL, SC) Hapoel Tel AvivHakoah Ramat Gan
1969–70 (PL, SC) Maccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Tel Aviv
1970–71 (PL, SC) Maccabi NetanyaHakoah Ramat Gan
1971–72 (PL, SC) Maccabi Tel AvivHapoel Tel Aviv
1972–73 (PL, SC) Hakoah Ramat GanHapoel Jerusalem
1973–74 (PL, SC) Maccabi NetanyaHapoel Haifa
1974–75 (PL, SC) Hapoel Be'er ShevaHapoel Kfar Saba
1975–76 (PL, SC) Beitar Jerusalem
1976–77 (PL, SC) Maccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Tel Aviv
1977–78 (PL, SC) Maccabi NetanyaMaccabi Netanya
1978–79 (PL, SC) Maccabi Tel AvivBeitar Jerusalem
1979–80 (PL, SC) Maccabi NetanyaHapoel Kfar Saba
1980–81 (PL, SC) Hapoel Tel AvivBnei Yehuda
1981–82 (PL, SC) Hapoel Kfar SabaHapoel Yehud
1982–83 (PL, SC) Maccabi NetanyaHapoel Tel Aviv
1983–84 (PL, SC) Maccabi HaifaHapoel Lod
1984–85 (PL, SC, TC) Beitar JerusalemMaccabi Yavne
1985–86 (PL, SC, TC) Hapoel Tel AvivHapoel Petah Tikva
1986–87 (PL, SC, TC) Beitar JerusalemMaccabi Tel AvivShimshon Tel Aviv
1987–88 (PL, SC, TC) Hapoel Tel Aviv
1988–89 (PL, SC, TC) Maccabi HaifaBeitar JerusalemHapoel Be'er Sheva
1989–90 (PL, SC, TC) Bnei YehudaHapoel Kfar SabaHapoel Petah Tikva
1990–91 (PL, SC, TC) Maccabi HaifaMaccabi Haifa
1991–92 (PL, SC, TC) Maccabi Tel AvivHapoel Petah TikvaBnei Yehuda
1992–93 (PL, SC, TC) Beitar JerusalemMaccabi HaifaMaccabi Tel Aviv
1993–94 (PL, SC, TC) Maccabi HaifaMaccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Haifa
1994–95 (PL, SC, TC) Maccabi Tel AvivMaccabi HaifaMaccabi Petah Tikva
1995–96 (PL, SC, TC) Maccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Tel AvivHapoel Be'er Sheva
1996–97 (PL, SC, TC) Beitar JerusalemHapoel Be'er ShevaBnei Yehuda
1997–98 (PL, SC, TC) Beitar JerusalemMaccabi HaifaBeitar Jerusalem
1998–99 (PL, SC, TC) Hapoel HaifaHapoel Tel AvivMaccabi Tel Aviv
1999–2000 (PL, SC, TC) Hapoel Tel AvivHapoel Tel AvivMaccabi Petah Tikva
2000–01 (PL, SC, TC) Maccabi HaifaMaccabi Tel AvivHapoel Haifa
2001–02 (PL, SC, TC) Hapoel Tel Aviv
2002–03 (PL, SC, TC) Maccabi Tel AvivHapoel Ramat GanMaccabi Haifa
2003–04 (PL, SC, TC) Maccabi HaifaBnei SakhninMaccabi Petah Tikva
2004–05 (PL, SC, TC) Maccabi Tel AvivHapoel Petah Tikva
2005–06 (PL, SC, TC) Maccabi HaifaHapoel Tel AvivMaccabi Haifa
2006–07 (PL, SC, TC) Beitar JerusalemMaccabi Herzliya
2007–08 (PL, SC, TC) Beitar JerusalemBeitar JerusalemMaccabi Haifa
2008–09 (PL, SC, TC) Maccabi HaifaBeitar JerusalemMaccabi Tel Aviv
2009–10 (PL, SC, TC) Hapoel Tel AvivHapoel Tel AvivBeitar Jerusalem
2010–11 (PL, SC, TC) Maccabi HaifaHapoel Tel AvivIroni Kiryat Shmona
2011–12 (PL, SC, TC) Ironi Kiryat ShmonaIroni Kiryat Shmona
2012–13 (PL, SC, TC) Maccabi Tel AvivHapoel Ramat GanHapoel Haifa
2013–14 (PL, SC) Ironi Kiryat Shmona
2014–15 (PL, SC, TC) Maccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Tel Aviv
2015–16 (PL, SC, TC) Hapoel Be'er ShevaMaccabi HaifaMaccabi Petah Tikva
2016–17 (PL, SC, TC) Hapoel Be'er ShevaBnei YehudaHapoel Be'er Sheva
2017–18 (PL, SC, TC) Hapoel Be'er ShevaHapoel HaifaMaccabi Tel Aviv
2018–19 (PL, SC, TC) Maccabi Tel AvivBnei YehudaMaccabi Tel Aviv
2019–20 (PL, SC, TC) Maccabi Tel AvivHapoel Be'er ShevaBeitar Jerusalem
2020–21 (PL, SC, TC) Maccabi HaifaMaccabi Tel AvivMaccabi Tel Aviv
2021–22 (PL, SC, TC) Maccabi HaifaHapoel Be'er ShevaMaccabi Haifa
2022–23 (PL, SC, TC) Maccabi HaifaBeitar JerusalemMaccabi Netanya
2023–24 (PL, SC, TC)
SeasonLeague ChampionsState Cup holderToto Cup holder
Legend
Won all 3 titles in the same year
Won 2 titles in the same year

Qualification for European competitions

Clubs who do well in either the Premier League or State Cup qualify to compete in various UEFA-organised Europe-wide competitions in the following season (as well as continuing to play in domestic competitions). The number of Israeli clubs playing in Europe in any one season can range from four to six, depending on the qualification scenarios. Currently, Israel is awarded the following places in European competitions:

Competition Who qualifies Notes
UEFA Champions League Premier League champions
UEFA Europa Conference League Clubs finishing second or third in the Premier League If the second or third-placed club has already qualified for the Conference League through the State Cup, then the fourth-placed club of the Premier League get a Conference League spot.
State Cup winners If one of the top 3 teams in the Premier League also wins the State Cup, the fourth-placed team will be granted a Conference League spot.
Any Israeli club that wins the UEFA Europa Conference League and has not already qualified for the Champions League or Europa League or Conference League By the UEFA Europa Conference League regulations (Regulation 1.07), this club's entry into the UEFA Europa Conference League will not be at the expense of any other entries to which its national federation is entitled

In addition, once in a European competition, it becomes possible to qualify for others:

  • All the losers of the UEFA Champions League Preliminary Round and First qualifying round go forward to the UEFA Europa League Second qualifying round
  • All the losers of the UEFA Champions League Second qualifying round go forward to the UEFA Europa League Third qualifying round
  • All the losers of the UEFA Champions League Third qualifying round go forward to the UEFA Europa League Play-off round
  • All the losers of the UEFA Champions League Play-off round go forward to the UEFA Europa League Group stage.
  • Any clubs playing in the UEFA Champions League that will finish third in the group stage will go into the UEFA Europa League round of 32

Israel national team

Israel hosted and won the 1964 AFC Asian Cup. Israel qualified for the World Cup in 1970 which was held in Mexico. Mordechai Spiegler scored in a 1–1 draw against Sweden. Israel's Olympic football team qualified for the 1968 Summer Olympics and the 1976 Summer Olympics both times reaching the quarter-finals.

Israel's highest FIFA ranking was 15th in November 2008.

Famous matches of the Israeli football team include the 1-2 and 0-1 defeat against Iran respectively in 1968 AFC Asian Cup and 1974 Asian Games, both held in Tehran when Israel and Iran were on friendly terms, the 3–2 win in France in the 1994 World Cup qualification, which ended up disqualifying the French team from the World Cup in the United States, the defeat of Austria 5–0 in 1999 during Euro 2000 qualifications, and a 2–1 win over Argentina in a friendly match in 1998, a game played in Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem.

History

British Mandate

During the British Mandate for Palestine, organised football consisted mainly of British and Jewish clubs, although Arab clubs also existed and took part in IFA competitions. As early as 1906, Maccabi Tel Aviv was formed as a social club, followed by a string of Maccabi clubs in other cities and towns, such as Jerusalem, Petah Tikva, Haifa, Zikhron Ya'akov and Hadera. On 24 April 1924, Hapoel Haifa was formed.[10] Shortly after formation, they joined the World Maccabi Organization. The first membership cards read "Club Hapoel Sport, Cultural Organization Haifa" (A member of the World Maccabi Organization). Later, during a meeting of Hapoel labourers in Afula, it was decided to break off from the World Maccabi Organization and create the Hapoel (Labor) Organization, followed by Hapoel teams from Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Herzliya and other cities and towns. Later, during the 1930s and the 1940s other sport organisations were formed, such as Beitar (founded by the right-wing revisionist party), Elitzur (formed by the religious Hapoel HaMizrachi party) and the short lived Hakoah 09 (formed by former members of Hakoah Vienna).

In February 1928, the first ever Tel Aviv derby took place. Maccabi won 3–0 and thus the oldest rivalry in Israel was born.

During the 1920s, and before the IFA was established, two cup competitions were held, one which acted as an unofficial national cup, which was dominated by British military teams, and one named Magen Shimshon, which was open to Maccabi clubs. In 1928 the People's Cup began. This cup would later be known as Palestine Cup and, after the Israeli Declaration of Independence, the Israel State Cup. In the first final, played in Tel Aviv two Jewish clubs, Hapoel Tel Aviv met Maccabi Hasmonean Jerusalem and won by a score of 2–0, but the cup was shared since Maccabi appealed to the newly formed IFA that Hapoel had fielded an ineligible player.

Nine teams started the first league in 1932. The first winner of the league was the British Police, who, under the guidance of Police Chief Speiser, were the best-organised club in the country; Speiser would later serve as the first chairman of the football association. The league was held inconsistently, and only 10 titles were won between 1932 and 1947, all of which, beside the first title, were one by either Maccabi Tel Aviv (4 titles) or Hapoel Tel Aviv (5 titles).

During the British Mandate period, the IFA representative team competed under the title of Eretz Israel/Palestine, operating as a virtually all-Jewish combination. The first international match was a qualifying match for the 1934 World Cup against Egypt in Cairo, which resulted in a 7–1 defeat. The second leg played in Tel Aviv, resulted in a 4–1 defeat and an 11–2 aggregate loss. Earlier, in 1931, a mixed team of Palestinians, Jews, and British police played an international match in Egypt.

During this period Jewish teams took international tours in order to promote both football in Mandatory Palestine and the Zionist cause. Such tours include Maccabi Haifa tour of the United States in 1927, Maccabi Eretz Israel tour of Australia in 1939 and Hapoel Tel Aviv tour of the US in 1947. In return, many internationally famed clubs visited Mandatory Palestine and played Jewish and British clubs. Among these clubs are Hakoah Vienna, MTK Budapest and Hajduk Split.

Post independence

Just four months after Israel gained independence, the Israeli national team travelled to New York City to play their American counterparts in a friendly at the Polo Grounds. Over 40,000 spectators witnessed the newly formed Israeli side lose to the Americans 3–1. Shmuel Ben Dror went down in history as the first goal scorer in the history of the Israeli national team.

In 1967, Hapoel Tel Aviv became the first club to win the Asian Club Championships. In the 2001–02 UEFA Cup Hapoel reached the quarter-finals after knocking out Chelsea, Lokomotiv Moscow and Parma.

The 1970s and early 1980 were dominated by Maccabi Tel Aviv, Hapoel Tel Aviv and Maccabi Netanya. During the mid-1980s under the guidance of coach Shlomo Scharf Maccabi Haifa F.C. rose to power, winning its first two championship titles. In 1992, when Israel rejoined UEFA, Maccabi Haifa was bought by businessman Ya'akov Shahar who lead European standards of high quality management in the Israeli club. This move paved the way for private ownerships of football clubs in Israel.

Successful Israeli players who also played outside Israel include Eli Ohana, Mordechai Spiegler, Giora Spiegel, Ronny Rosenthal, Avi Cohen, Eyal Berkovich, Haim Revivo, Dudu Aouate, Yossi Benayoun, Tal Ben Haim, Elyaniv Barda and Biram Kayal.

The 2000s (decade) was dominated by Maccabi Haifa F.C. who won seven out of 11 possible championship titles, and also recorded good results in European tournaments such as the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup.

Israeli teams have also qualified for the UEFA Champions League group stage six times: Maccabi Haifa in the 2002–03, 2009–10 and 2022-23 seasons; Maccabi Tel Aviv in the 2004–05 and 2015-16 seasons; and Hapoel Tel Aviv in the 2010–11 season.[11]

After 2018, when Willi Ruttensteiner was appointed as technical director of the national team, a national football academy was founded, and three supporting development centers were established. As well the training of the coaches was strengthened.[12]

See also

References

  1. Gross, Tom. "Tom Gross on Soccer & Israel on National Review Online". Old.nationalreview.com. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
  2. "FIFA asks Israel to assist Palestinian soccer - CBC Sports - Soccer". Cbc.ca. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
  3. "Israeli soccer club fans say no to Muslim players". Alarabiya.net. 28 January 2013. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
  4. Greenberg, Joel (11 February 2013). "Soccer racism raises concern in Israel - Washington Post". Articles.washingtonpost.com. Archived from the original on 25 February 2013. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
  5. Ackerman, Gwen (9 September 2013). "Israel-Based Football Website Is Turning Fans' Love of the Game Into a New Media Business". Bloomberg. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
  6. "How German football is embracing Israel - CNN.com". Edition.cnn.com. 13 June 2013. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
  7. "Football in Israel, the not-so-beautiful game | The Jewish Chronicle". Thejc.com. 28 August 2008. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
  8. "When Saturday Comes - Israel". Wsc.co.uk. 9 July 2012. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
  9. "When Saturday Comes - Anti-Arab league". Wsc.co.uk. 9 July 2012. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
  10. "The Establishment of "Hapoel" - Hapoel Sport Association". www.hapoel.org.il. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  11. von Mittelstaedt, Juliane (19 September 2012). "Israeli Soccer Champion Sparks Urban Revival". Der Spiegel. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  12. "Willi Ruttensteiner is no longer team boss of Israel". Der Standard (in German). 7 February 2022. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
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