Maccabi Haifa Finalizes Goalkeeper Lineup for 2026/27 Season

Maccabi Haifa officially announced the loan signing of goalkeeper Omer Niraon from Maccabi Netanya, who is expected to serve as the second-choice goalkeeper for the 2026/27 season. The club's first-choice goalkeeper remains Omer Glazer, who is set to start in the Toto Cup ranking match against Hapoel Jerusalem. Glazer has been recovering from an injury sustained against Kiryat Shmona and a minor car accident but is expected to play in the league opener against Hapoel Ramat Gan.

Glen Alvin, who performed well during Glazer's absence, will return as the third-choice goalkeeper after spending several years with the youth team. Mark Golenkov will begin the season as the top goalkeeper for the youth squad, following an impressive campaign in the UEFA Youth League last season. Niraon is anticipated to provide backup and competition for Glazer throughout the season.

Last season, coach Barak Bachar gave opportunities to then-second goalkeeper Sharif Kiyof in the State Cup until Kiyof suffered an Achilles injury that ended his season. Maccabi Haifa has effectively overhauled its goalkeeper roster, replacing last season's keepers Georgi Yermakov, who was sold to Metalist, Kiyof, who was injured, and Roy Fox, who retired and became the team's manager.