After Ireland Defeat

Hochman show for Israel team cancelled

Stand-up performance planned for national football squad scrapped following defeat to Ireland. Hochman: What Israeli wants to see the team laughing after a performance like that?

Gila Isaacson

SEP 28, 2026 15:01

2 min read

A stand-up comedy show by Guy Hochman scheduled for Monday evening in front of Israel's national football team was cancelled following the squad's 3-0 defeat to Ireland on Sunday in Debrecen, Hungary. The decision was made jointly with the Israel Football Association, and Hochman was notified this morning.

Hochman himself addressed the cancellation and said he understood the decision: "I got the message this morning and I completely understand. What Israeli wants to see the team laughing after a performance like that?"

The comedian continued, referring to the atmosphere after the loss: "This isn't the time for a good time, this is the time to give them quiet."

Guy Hochman at an Israel national team match (Photo: PR)

Despite the cancellation, Hochman said that as far as he is concerned, the possibility of performing in front of Israel's national team players still stands, but he prefers it to happen after a different result on the pitch.

"The huge honour of performing in front of our national team will still come, at the right time, after the right victory," Hochman said.

The show that was planned for the players was thus taken off the table following the defeat. Instead of an evening of stand-up with Hochman, it was decided to give the national team players quiet after the 3-0 loss to Ireland. No alternative date for the performance has been announced at this stage.