{
  "id": 2229553,
  "title": "Israeli soccer set for another thrilling season",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/israeli-soccer-set-for-another-thrilling-season",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-20T21:20:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/israeli-soccer-set-another-thrilling-212002249.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Israeli soccer season is set to unfold with intense competition and excitement. Hapoel Beersheba, the reigning champions, will face off against Maccabi Tel Aviv and other prominent teams in the Premier League. Beitar Jerusalem, Hapoel Tel Aviv, and traditional powerhouses all aim to claim the title. Hapoel Beersheba boasts a strong squad and top-tier coaching, but they still need to prove they can maintain their title. The defending champions are in the midst of Champions League qualification, which adds to the challenge of the domestic league season. Other teams, like Beitar Jerusalem, have new head coach Almog Cohen and a roster of talented players such as Eliel Peretz, Igor Zlatanovic, Zahi Ahmed, and Javon East. Hapoel Tel Aviv, under the guidance of Moise and Edmund Safra, have gathered a formidable squad with both Israeli and foreign stars. Maccabi Tel Aviv is in a state of flux, with key players like Sayed Abu Farhi and Roy Revivo potentially leaving the club. Maccabi Haifa and Maccabi Netanya are also gearing up for intense battles in the league, with each team looking to secure top positions and potentially compete in European competitions.",
  "summary": "Defending champion Hapoel Beersheba leads a crowded field of contenders, with Beitar Jerusalem, Hapoel Tel Aviv, and the country’s traditional powerhouses all eyeing the title. The new Israel soccer season is upon us as 14 teams from across the country will battle it out for supremacy and will look to knock defending champion Hapoel Beersheba off its throne.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}