briefsports.net
National Association · Football · Israel

IFA — Israel Football Association (ההתאחדות לכדורגל בישראל)

Israel’s football association, a registered non-profit association that dates itself to 1928; UEFA records its FIFA membership from 6 June 1929 and its full UEFA membership from 1994.
✓ Last reviewed: October 2026
Founded1928, as the association states; UEFA dates the founding general meeting to mid-August 1928[1][5]
HeadquartersRamat Gan Stadium, with a further office at Nesher Stadium[5]
International federationFIFA, full member since 6 June 1929, per UEFA[1][2]
Continental bodyUEFA, full member since 1994[1]
PresidentMoshe Zuares (as listed by UEFA and FIFA, October 2026)[1][2]

What is the IFA?

The Israel Football Association (IFA), in Hebrew ההתאחדות לכדורגל בישראל, is the national association for football in Israel. It describes itself as “עמותה רשומה” — a registered non-profit association — founded in 1928.[5] It states that “הכדורגל הוא מראה ממנה נשקפת החברה בה הוא פועל” — football is a mirror in which the society it operates in is reflected — and that it can also lead to social change, with mutual guarantee and social responsibility at the basis of its work.[4]

What does the IFA govern or do?

The IFA runs league football, operates disciplinary courts and oversees the referees’ union, which it describes as an independent body.[5] It selects Israel’s national teams at men’s, women’s and youth levels.[5] Its site carries sections for its chairman and chief executive, its statutes, its leagues, the national cup and the national teams.[4]

When was the IFA founded and where is it based?

The association gives 1928 as its founding year.[5] UEFA records that a general meeting held in mid-August 1928 laid the groundwork for a national football association, and that on 6 June 1929 the Eretz Israel Football Association was accepted as a full FIFA member.[1]

The IFA’s offices are at Ramat Gan Stadium, with an additional office at Nesher Stadium.[4][5]

How is the IFA recognised?

FIFA. FIFA’s directory of member associations lists the Israel Football Association under the confederation UEFA, with Moshe Zuares as president and football.org.il as its website.[2] UEFA dates its FIFA membership to 6 June 1929.[1]

UEFA. UEFA records that the IFA became a full UEFA member in 1994 and lists Israel among its 55 member associations.[1][3] UEFA also records that Israel was admitted to the Asian Football Confederation in 1956 and left it in 1974.[1] The IFA states that it has been a FIFA member since its founding.[5]

What does the IFA organise?

The IFA organises the national leagues, the State Cup and the Toto Cup.[5] UEFA records that Israel won the AFC Asian Cup as hosts in 1964, during its time as an AFC member.[1] The association’s site carries separate sections for its leagues and for the national cup.[4]

Who are its members?

The IFA states that it organises about 1,000 clubs, across youth, junior, adult and women’s football, with roughly 40,000 players taking part in its leagues and cups (as published in October 2026).[5] Referees are organised in a referees’ union under the association’s oversight.[5]

References

  1. UEFA — National associations: Israel (IFA profile and history). Accessed 2026-10-05.
  2. FIFA — Member associations: Israel. Accessed 2026-10-05.
  3. UEFA — National associations (list of 55 member associations). Accessed 2026-10-05.
  4. IFA — official website (home page, contact details and navigation). Accessed 2026-10-05.
  5. IFA — אודות ההתאחדות (About the association). Accessed 2026-10-05.