Villarreal – Maccabi was postponed due to events in Israel.
The Villarreal versus Maccabi Haifa clash was originally scheduled to be played at the La Cerámica Stadium in Villarreal on Thursday October 26, as part of the third matchday of the 2023-2024 UEFA Europa League group phase. The decision to delay the match came after careful consideration of the current situation in Israel, where security concerns and regional tensions prompted UEFA to reassess the European competition calendar for this fixture. In practical terms, Villarreal will not be in action on the forthcoming European matchday and will instead move their game to a later date in the year, with December 6 identified as the rescheduled date. The postponement reflects UEFA’s priority on safety and orderly competition while allowing both clubs to plan accordingly for the rest of the group stage.
The match was postponed
UEFA granted the request from Maccabi Haifa, acknowledging the evolving circumstances in the country. The Israeli club indicated that traveling and competing under current conditions would not be feasible or fair to the players or the supporters. As a result, Villarreal will wait to complete their European program on a new date, ensuring all parties have a clear window to prepare and travel under secure conditions. The decision also means that Villarreal will not have a European match on the upcoming Thursday and will instead play on December 6, in line with UEFA’s contingency planning for this group phase.
UEFA confirmation
Beyond the individual fixture, the broader European calendar has felt the impact: three matches involving the Israeli national team were rescheduled as a consequence of the security situation in the region. A EURO 2024 qualifying match along with two UWNL fixtures were moved outside the November international window to accommodate safety concerns and logistical realities for teams and fans. The official notice from UEFA summarized the adjustments and confirmed the new timing, signaling a coordinated response from the sport’s governing body to maintain competitive integrity while prioritizing safety.
Three matches in the Israeli context were reshuffled due to the security climate in the region and the need to preserve safe travel and match-day operations for teams and supporters alike. The adjustments were communicated in a public statement and reinforced by subsequent match records, underscoring the seriousness with which the European football community treats security challenges as part of organizing international competition.
— UEFA updates and statements regarding scheduling changes were issued on the authority account, outlining the rationale and confirming the revised windows for affected fixtures. This approach aligns with UEFA’s ongoing commitment to flexibility within the European football calendar when confronted with extraordinary events.
How the teams arrived: Villarreal stood second in Group F of the Europa League standings with three points from two matches entering the postponed fixture, while Maccabi Haifa sat in last place in the same group with one point from two games. The gap on the table added urgency to the matchup, making the postponement a notable disruption for both clubs as they aim to secure progression to the knockout rounds. The halt in action delays potential momentum and requires strategic adjustments for the clubs as they recalibrate their schedules and training cycles in the weeks ahead.
Source: Local reporting and UEFA communications corroborate the information on the postponement and the revised schedule, with follow-up updates provided by affiliated outlets and league observers to keep fans informed about the implications for group standings and upcoming matchday plans.