Diego Flores's side is preparing for Conference League qualifying, where either Belarusian Torpedo or Serbian side Rabotnicki awaits. Haifa finished third in its domestic league last season, earning another place in European competition. Although they did not reach the league phase last season, in the 2023/24 campaign they advanced all the way to the round of 16 in Europe's third-tier club competition. They first eliminated Belgian side Gent in the play-off before eventual finalists Fiorentina knocked them out in the last 16. A notable detail is that the Israelis played both of their home matches away from home at Bozsik Aréna. The game against the Florence side produced seven goals and a 4–3 Italian victory in Kispest, making it one of the most exciting matches in the competition's short history.
The green-and-whites have celebrated 15 domestic league titles in their history, including three in a row between 2021 and 2023. They have also reached the Champions League group stage three times, most recently in 2022, when they defeated Juventus at home. They are now preparing for a seventh consecutive season in which they will take part in a UEFA competition.
We last faced Israeli opposition in 2018, when Beitar Jerusalem beat us 1–0 in a friendly. The most recent Champions League qualifier in our club's history was also against an Israeli side.
Our most recent matches against Israeli opposition:
2018, friendly: Honvéd–Beitar Jerusalem 0–1
2017, Champions League qualifier: Honvéd–Hapoel Beer Sheva 2–3
2017, Champions League qualifier: Hapoel Beer Sheva–Honvéd 2–1
2012, friendly: Honvéd–Ashdod 1–0
2010, friendly: Honvéd–Hapoel Petah Tikva 2–1
We opened summer pre-season with a 3–0 victory over Tiszakécske, but this week brings a busy schedule: we face Maccabi Haifa on Thursday and Kecskeméti TE on Saturday.
Thursday's match will be played behind closed doors at our Academy from 18:30 and streamed live on our official YouTube channel.
PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY, 2025/26 – SUMMER
3 July (Thursday), 18:30
BUDAPEST HONVÉD–MACCABI HAIFA
Honvéd Academy – behind closed doors
