1956–57 in Israeli football

The 1956–57 season was the ninth season of competitive football in Israel and the 31st season under the Israeli Football Association, established in 1928, during the British Mandate.

Review and Events
In September 1956, the national team participated in the inaugural AFC Asian Cup competition, finishing as runners-up.

In the penultimate round of Liga Alef, Hapoel Kfar Saba, who were leading the table, scored a 12–0 victory against Hapoel Nahariya, while its rival for promotion, Maccabi Rehovot score an 11–0 victory against local rival Maccabi Sha'arayim. The IFA set up a committee, headed by the IFA president, Yosef-Michael Lamm to investigate the results. After the investigation the committee decided to set promotion play-offs for the five teams involved in promotion battles. The play-offs were held after the summer break, at the beginning of the next season.

At the end of the league season, the top division was re-expanded to 12 teams. No club was relegated from Liga Leumit, while two teams were promoted (after the completion of the special promotion play-offs). The bottom club in Liga Leumit, Maccabi Jaffa entered a promotion/relegation play-offs again the third-placed club from 1956–57 Liga Alef. As Hapoel Jerusalem finished third in Liga Alef, prior to the committee's decision to hold the promotion play-offs, Maccabi Jaffa and Hapoel Jerusalem played the first match, resulting in a 1–1 draw. The second match was delayed and then cancelled as the committee ordered the play-offs.

Promotion and relegation
The following promotions and relegations took place at the end of the season (including the Liga Alef promotion play-offs, played at the beginning of the next season):


 * Promoted to Liga Leumit
 * Hapoel Kfar Saba
 * Hapoel Jerusalem


 * Promoted to Liga Alef
 * Hapoel Balfouria1
 * Maccabi Hadera
 * Shimshon Tel Aviv
 * Bnei Yehuda


 * Promoted to Liga Bet
 * Hapoel Safed
 * Beitar Netanya
 * Hapoel Holon
 * Sektzia Nes Tziona

None
 * Relegated from Liga Leumit


 * Relegated from Liga Alef
 * Hapoel Nahariya
 * Maccabi Ramat Gan


 * Relegated from Liga Bet
 * Maccabi Zikhron Ya'akov
 * Hapoel HaMegabesh Rishon LeZion
 * Hapoel Mefalsim Sha'ar HaNegev

1. Hapoel Balfouria merged with Hapoel Afula. The merged team, although at times appearing as Hapoel Balfouria or Hapoel Afula/Balfouria, eventually retained the name Hapoel Afula and played with this name since.