The Maccabi Haifa Football Museum, located at the "Sami Ofer" Stadium, hosted a nostalgic and extremely exciting event this evening (Wednesday, 1/7/2026), in which a special exhibition dedicated to the historical connection between the club and the prestigious World Cup tournament was inaugurated, in collaboration with the sports giant "Adidas".
Former players of the Green Club Igbinedion Yacobu, Nikita Rukavitsa, and the judge of the past Avraham Klein They were the guests of honor at the opening of the festive exhibition at the club's museum. The exhibition, which will be open throughout the month of World Cup matches, features rare items and original jerseys from the club's stars who have previously played on the world's biggest stage.
At a festive and exciting opening event, held in the presence of the club's CEO Itzik Ovadia And in the presence of a former player and club legend, Reuven AtarThe joint World Cup exhibition between the Greens and the team's official clothing company, sports giant Adidas, was officially inaugurated. The exhibition takes visitors on a nostalgic journey through time, combining the club's rich history with the highlights of World Cup matches over the years.
The event was enhanced by the participation of three guests of honor, each of whom represents a unique connection to the tournament:
Igbinedion Yacobu: The legendary former striker, who won two championships with Maccabi Haifa and led it to the Champions League, represented the Nigerian national team in the 2010 World Cup. It should be noted that Yakubu's arrival in Israel caused great excitement among those present.
Nikita Rukavitsa: The club's top foreign scorer and a favorite of the Carmel crowd, who represented the Australian team in the 2010 World Cup, and even presented an official, signed shirt at the exhibition.
Avraham Klein: One of the world's most senior past referees, who officiated historic games in the 1970, 1974, 1978 and 1982 World Cups. Klein has a direct connection to Mexico 1970 – the only World Cup in which the Israeli team participated, and his participation added a fascinating layer of historical knowledge and depth.
The focus of the exhibition was a rare collection of official World Cup shirts from players who shaped the club's history and represented their national teams: starting withYohanan Wallach וYeshayahu (Shaya) Schwager, late In Mexico 1970, the goalkeeper The late Victor Chanov (Italy 1990), Peter Masilela (2010) Vladimir Stojkovic (2006, 2010, 2018), and to representatives from the most recent tournaments in which Frantzadi Piero, Abdulai Sek וקנג'י חורה.
Alongside the shirts, fans will be able to admire rare balls and items from Adidas. Throughout the entire World Cup month, the museum will host guided and experiential tours, exposing the general public to behind-the-scenes stories and moments that made the exhibition an unforgettable experience for every football fan.
During the event, the CEO of Maccabi Haifa Club said Itzik Ovadia"Thank you to our partners, Adidas, who were partners in this event that makes the World Cup unique and players like Igbinis and Nikita"Maccabi Haifa has a great history in world football, in Mexico 70 Maccabi Haifa sent players to the World Cup. It's fun to see this color and celebration. It's exciting to see the shirts."
Also during the event, the former Maccabi Haifa player also said Elon Schwegger Son of a legendary former player Yeshayahu (Shaya) Schwager, late, captain of the Israeli national team who played in the 1970 World Cup in Mexico: "I came to the exhibition with my family this evening. I was very excited as a representative of the Schwager family and to present the legacy of my father, Yeshayahu (Shaya) Schwager, the late captain of the Israeli national team and Maccabi Haifa, who played in the 1970 Mexico World Cup, which was a defining and historic moment in Israeli football. The exhibition provides a fascinating glimpse into the history of the Maccabi Haifa club and Israeli football. There is no doubt that every football fan and every Maccabi Haifa fan will enjoy a special experience at the museum."
