Maccabi will kick off its 26th campaign in European competitions, and its 13th season in succession, more than any other Israeli club.
To date Maccabi played 195 matches in European competitions, winning 85 matches, losing 69 with 41 matches ending in a draw. Maccabi’s total goal tally which currently stands on 275 goals scored and 239 conceded.

A total of 231 players represented Maccabi in the various European competitions as Sheran Yeini holds the club’s European appearance record with 84 international matches. While the former captain leads the appearance chart, current captain Dor Peretz shares second place with former defender Eitan Tibi, each with 73 appearances.

Eighty nine different players scored for Maccabi in European competitions as Eran Zahavi is the top scorer with 30 goals to his name.

A day short of a year ago, on July 23^rd 2024, Maccabi kicked off its European campaign with a 1-1 draw against Romanian Champions Steaua Bucharest. This was Maccabi’s only draw in European match away from home last season, out of 14 matches together with 6 victories and 7 defeats.

Maccabi advanced through the first round of entry in Europe 19 times and were eliminated 6 times.

Maccabi’s record in European season-opening matches currently stands on 14 victories, 5 draws, and 6 defeats. The biggest victory in the opening match was a 6-0 win over Lithuanian side Zalgiris Vilnius at the start of the 2001/02 season.

A total of 30 Maccabi players scored in the opening match of a European campaign. Baruch Dego (who scored the only hat-trick by a Maccabi player in an opening match) and Nosa Igiebor hold the record for most goals in a season’s opening match with 3 goals each.

The fastest goal in a European season-opening match was a 3^rd minute goal scored by Andreas Prohorenkovs against Estonian side Levadia Tallinn that Maccabi won 2-0 in the 2002/03 season.

Pafos will be Maccabi’s 92^nd opponent in European competitions, after winning a historic league title in Cyprus last season. This is Pafos’ second season in Europe, having reached the Conference League Round of 16 last year. It will be Pafos’ first encounter with an Israeli club in Europe.

Maccabi played 6 ties against Cypriot opponents. Maccabi were eliminated by APOEL Nicosia in the nd qualifying round of the UEFA Cup 2005/06 (1:0 loss away and 2:2 draw at Bloomfield). Maccabi had two 0:0 draws with APOEL Nicosia during the successful EUROPA League group stage of the 2013/14 season. Maccabi advanced past AEK Larnaca (1-1 away and 1-0 victory at Bloomfield) in the Conference League 3rd qualifying round of the 2023/24 season.

Prior to this season, Maccabi played in 11 Champions League qualifying campaigns. The team advanced to the group stage twice, in the 2004/05 and 2015/16 campaign.

Following a successful partnership during last season, ‘Amy Group’ which owns 15 shopping centers across the country and is owned by businessman Shlomi Nechaisi has decided to strengthen its sponsorship agreement with Maccabi Tel Aviv, the reigning Israeli champions, beginning with the upcoming 2025/2026 season. As part of this expanded partnership, ‘Amy Group’ will become one of the club’s main sponsors.

As a result, the ‘Amy Group’ logo will appear on the upper back of the team’s official match kit as well as on the training kits worn by the players and coaching staff in all League and State Cup matches.

Shlomi Nechaisi, owner and CEO of ‘Amy Group’ stated: “We are proud to continue and further enhance our collaboration. We are delighted to be part of the biggest club in Israel. The partnership with Maccabi Tel Aviv aligns perfectly with ‘Amy Group’s’ expansion strategy and pursuit of excellence. Beyond the business connection, what excites me most is Maccabi’s significant social and community contributions through the Maccabi Tel Aviv Foundation. I am confident that ‘Amy Group’ will become an integral part of all community activities, and together we will achieve many more successes.”

Daniel Levy, VP Trade and Business Development at Maccabi Tel Aviv’s added: “We are very pleased that ‘Amy Group’ has chosen to expand its collaboration with us. It is clear evidence of the Club’s strategy to develop partnerships where there is mutual commercial benefit and equally importantly where there is alignment of our core values. We look forward to working together in the seasons ahead.”

‘Amy Group’ owns 15 shopping centers across Israel, located in Petah Tikva, Netanya, Givat Shmuel, Rishon Lezion, Tel Aviv, Ness Ziona, Hadera, Tirat Carmel, Or Yehuda, and Or Akiva.

Twelve of these centers are boutique shopping malls, while three are large-scale centers: Amy Migdaley Alon Tel Aviv, Amy BSR City Petah Tikva, located along the light rail line, with 27,000 sqm of retail space, 600 parking spaces, and four 30-story office towers above. Y-Center Complex in Netanya, recently acquired in a major deal for approximately NIS 330 million. This center, to be renamed ‘Amy Commercial Centers Netanya Poleg’, includes 24,000 sqm of retail and office space, 1,000 parking spaces, and an additional 15,000 sqm for future development.

The group manages and leases its commercial centers to a wide range of tenants across various sectors. Major tenants includes Super-Pharm, Decathlon, Bank Hapoalim, McDonald’s, Roladin, Aroma, Tiv Taam, Maccabi, Meuhedet & Leumit Healthcare Services, Pizza Hut, Cafe Greg, Golda Ice Cream, Burgerim, Sonol, Nizat HaDuvdevan, HaStock, and Max.

Gabi Kanichowsky will be leaving Maccabi Tel Aviv after four successful seasons in Yellow and Blue, during which he won 5 trophies.

The 27-year-old midfielder a graduate of Maccabi’s Youth Academy returned to the club in the summer 2021 from Maccabi Netanya. Over four seasons at Maccabi, Gabi made 194 appearances in all competitions, scoring 27 goals and providing 46 assists. During this time, he helped the club win 2 League Championships (2023/24 and 2024/25), 2 Toto Cups (2023/24 and 2024/25), and 1 Super Cup (2024/25).

Kanichowsky also featured in European competitions, reaching the Europa League group stage once (2024/25), the Conference League group stage twice (2021/22 and 2023/24), the Round of 32 once, and the Round of 16 once.

Having originally joined Maccabi at the age 16.5 from Hapoel Ra’anana, Kanichowsky scored four goals in 76 appearances for Maccabi Tel Aviv ‘Shahar’ U-19s, including a memorable goal against Dynamo Kiev in the UEFA Youth Champions League. He made his senior debut in October 2015 before going on loan to Hapoel Petah Tikva and Hapoel Acco.

On the international stage, Kanichowsky made 16 appearances and scored one goal for the Israel national team, in addition to another goal in a total of 15 appearances for the U21’s and U19’s teams.

Thank you, Gabi, for everything you have contributed to Maccabi. We wish you the very best in your future endeavors.

Maccabi will face Pafos for the Champions League 3^rd qualifying round at the Alphamega stadium on Tuesday (20:00). Earlier today (Monday), the draw for the Champions Legue and Europa League 3rd qualifying rounds was held at UEFA’s Headquarters in Nyon. The winner of the tie between Maccabi and the Cypriot champions will advance and were drawn to face the winner of Hamrun Spartans (Malta) and Dynamo Kyiv (Ukraine). According to the draw, the Maltese or the Ukrainians are expected to host the first leg, but the final dates and venues will be announced at a later stage. The first leg matches are scheduled for August 5^th and 6^th with the return leg for August 12th.

The draw for the 3rd qualifying round of the Europa League also teamed up the losers of the ties to face each other. As the teams that doesn’t advance to the Champions League 3^rd qualifying round between Maccabi and Pafos, Spartans and Dynamo Kiev will face each other in the Europa League 3^rd qualifying round. First leg matches are scheduled for August 7^th with the return leg played on August 14^th.

Maccabi Tel Aviv FC reached an agreement with Swiss club BSC Young Boys for the transfer of Mohamed Ali Camara. The 27-year-old Guinean central defender successfully completed his medical and signed a three-year deal, with an option to extend by a further season.

Ali Camara, (193 cm), made 193 appearances in all competitions for Young Boys, scoring 7 goals as during 7 seasons in Bern, he helped the team secure five Swiss Championships (18/19, 19/20, 20/21, 22/23, and 23/24) and 2 Swiss Cups (19/20 and 22/23). Camara also featured with Young Boys in the Champions League group stage on 3 occasions (18/19, 21/22, and 23/24) and twice in the Europa League group stage (20/21 and 23/24).

He began his professional career in Guinea with Horoya and Hafia, before moving to Israel ahead of the 17/18 season. During a year at Hapoel Ra’anana, Camara scored 6 goals in 38 appearances in all competitions. He played an important role in Ra’anana’s State Cup campaign, which ended in a Semi-Final penalty shootout defeat to eventual winners Hapoel Haifa.

The Guinean international, earned 23 caps for the senior national team, including appearances in the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon (2022) and Ivory Coast (2024). He also represented Guinea at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Zambia (2017) and the U-20 World Cup held later that year in South Korea.

 

Maccabi continued their preparations ahead of the Champions League 2nd qualifying round first leg away to Pafos ‘s as they played a friendly match against Rishon Lezion.

New Brazilian signing, Heitor, made his first appearance as he started at the heart of defense alongside Itay Ben Hemo. In the 18th minute Amir Berkovits released Hisham Taha who put the second division side in front as he beat Ofek Melika from close range.

Three minutes before the half hour mark Sagiv Jehezkel was sent clear though together with Ion Nicolaescu. With only Arik Yanko to beat, Jehezkel, unselfishly slipped the ball to the Moldovan striker who clipped it over the keeper to level the score.

Henry Addo came on for Azo for the restart and Issouf Sissokho replaced Itamar Noy before Maccabi’s coach Zarko Lazetic made more changes on the hour mark. A minute later Sissokho charged through the middle and from inside the area twisted and beat Rishon’s keeper Dvir Nir with a shot into the top corner.

Maccabi: Ofe Melika (Yoav Gerafi 60), Noam Ben Harush (Tyrese Asante 60), Heitor (Raz Shlomo 60), Denny Gropper (Roy Revivo 60), Itamar Noy (Issouf Sissokho 56), Ben Lederman (Ido Shahar 60), Elad Madmon (Dor Peretz 60), Sagiv Jehezkel (Hisham Layous 60), Ori Azo (Henry Addo 46), Ion Nicolaescu (Saied Abu Farchi 73)

Maccabi Tel Aviv FC reached an agreement with Hungarian side Gyori ETO FC for the transfer of Heitor Marinho dos Santos. The 25-year-old Brazilian defender successfully completed his medical at the Club and signed a 3-year-deal, with an option to extend by a further season.

Heitor (187 cm) helped Gyori finish fourth in the league table last season, making 27 appearances in all competitions since joining from Levadia Tallinn in the summer of 2024.

After signing his contract Heitor told the Club’s official website: “I am happy to be here and join Maccabi which is a great opportunity and a big step for me. I will work hard and do everything I possibly can, in order to help the team and the club reach its objectives.”

Heitor began his football journey at the Youth Academies of Paraná Soccer Technical Center and Porto Alegre-based club Gremio. He was part of the Gremio side that won the top-flight professional state league in Rio Grande do Sul (Campeonato Gaúcho) in 2020/21 and 2021/22.

In 2023, Heitor made his first move to Europe by joining Estonian club Levadia Tallinn. Over two seasons, Heitor made 50 appearances in all competitions, scoring four goals and helping the team to an Estonian League and cup double in 2024.