Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa said it would be 'pretty cool' to play in Jerusalem in the future
23:19 ET, 16 Nov 2025Updated 23:19 ET, 16 Nov 2025
Tua Tagovailoa wants the NFL to visit Israel in the future
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(Image: Europa Press Sports, Europa Press via Getty Images)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa sparked controversy when he told reporters he'd like to compete in an NFL International Series game in Jerusalem.
Following the Dolphins' 16-13 win over the Washington Commanders in Madrid, Spain, during Sunday's Week 11 matchup, Tagovailoa, who has previously made headlines for contentious postgame comments this season, was questioned at his postgame news conference about which international location he'd prefer to play in next.
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After mentioning Hawaii, his home state, as a possibility, the Dolphins quarterback added, "Shoot, it'd be pretty cool to go play in Jerusalem. I don't know, that'd be sick."
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Tagovailoa's comment turned heads considering Israel has been the scene of violent conflict and a significant humanitarian crisis that has attracted considerable international focus over the last two years.
While it's extremely unlikely the NFL will host a game in Israel anytime soon, there are multiple new locations planned for next season's international series.
Miami Dolphins V Washington Commanders - Nfl Madrid Game 2025
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Tua Tagovailoa finished with 171 passing yards in the win over Washington(Image: Getty)
In 2026, the Los Angeles Rams are scheduled to participate in the first ever NFL game in Australia. Games set in Mexico, Brazil and the United Kingdom are also on the schedule.
Sunday's game, hosted at the Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid's home turf, was a historic first for NFL regular season games in Spain. This marked the seventh international game of the 2025 regular season, with previous games held in Brazil, Ireland, the UK, and Germany.
Tagovailoa has now played in three international games throughout his NFL career.
Before Sunday, he and the Dolphins faced off against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, England during Week 6 of 2021 and then took on the Kansas City Chiefs in Frankfurt, Germany during Week 9 of 2023, both games ending in losses for Miami.
In Sunday's match against the Commanders, Tagovailoa racked up 171 passing yards without any touchdowns or interceptions, pushing Miami's record to 4-7. After a rocky start to the season with a 1-6 record, the Dolphins have managed to win three out of their last four games.
Only two touchdowns were scored in the Spain-based game, one by Marcus Mariota who passed to Deebo Samuel and another by Ollie Gordon II who rushed to send the game into overtime. Miami kicker Riley Patterson secured the victory with a 29-yard field goal with just 7 minutes left in overtime.
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Tua and his team will now head back to the U.S. to enjoy a bye in Week 12 before taking on the Saints, Jets, Steelers, Bengals, Buccaneers, and Patriots to finish off the 2025 regular season.
As it stands, Miami has a slim one percent chance of making the playoffs, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.