Host country Israel Teams 20 Champions South Africa | Dates 7 – 15 July Venue(s) 5 (in 4 host cities) Runners-up United States | |
Football at the 1981 Maccabiah Games was held in Israel starting on 7 July.
Contents
The competition was open for men's teams only. A record number of 20 teams took part in the competition. South Africa won their first gold medal, beating USA 3–1 in the final. This was the first time since 1935 that the hosts finished outside the top two. Israel's 1–2 loss to South Africa in the semi-finals was their first loss since 1961, after 24 unbeaten matches (21 wins, 4 draws).
Format
The 20 teams were divided into four groups of five, with each team playing the others once. The two top teams from each group qualified to the quarter-finals. The rest of the teams were eliminated.
Quarter-finals
1. The match was abandoned at the 120th minute, as an Argentine player was sent off, but refused to leave the pitch.
5th-8th places play-off
* Both France and Sweden forfeited their matches in the classification round.