Soccer in Israel

Sports and recreation in Tel Aviv is very much developed and is the only city in Israel with three teams in the Israeli football premier league. Soccer is the unofficial national game of Israel. The Israeli Football Association is governing body of Soccer in Israel. All of Israel’s soccer clubs and hundreds of semi professional and amateur clubs are members of IFA. In Israel, there are two major cup competitions, the state cup and the Toto cup. The state cup is open to all Israeli clubs. The winner is qualified for UEFA cup. The Toto cup is the Israeli equivalent of a League cup. The final is played at the National stadium, but the winner does not qualify for the UEFA cup.

During the British regime, organized soccer was comprised of British and Jewish clubs. In February 1928 the first ever Derby took place between Maccabi and Hapoel Alenby Tel Aviv and was the beginning of the oldest rivalry that takes place in modern day Israel. Israeli national team takes part in all major international football events.

The Maccabi Tel Aviv FC football club has won 18 Israeli league titles, 22 editions of the Israel cup, two Israel Toto cup and two Asia cups. This alone shows how ardent Football in Tel Aviv is. Hapoel Tel Aviv Sports Club was established in 1923 and competes in over 11 games, including Hapoel Tel Aviv basketball club, which has won five Israeli championships and four Israeli cups. Hapoel Tel Aviv football club has won 13 Israeli championships, 11 Israeli cups, 1 Toto cup and 1 Asia cup. Shimson Tel Aviv and Beitar Tel Aviv are other football clubs that used to play in the top division, which are now merged into one team that plays in the third division. Israel has a number of talented soccer players and very good soccer clubs to make their nation proud in any international events.