The competition started in March 1953, after yet another agreement ending a rift between the Hapoel and Maccabi factions in the IFA, and the first rounds were played as a part of the 1952–53 Israeli football season.
However, only one match, between Beitar Haifa and Hapoel Acre was held, and the rest were played in early April 1953.
Both teams requested the postponement as they had major players injured after the Israel's 1954 FIFA World Cup qualification matches at Greece and Yugoslavia.
Maccabi Tel Aviv were on the brink of elimination, as they were losing 1–2 at Hapoel Kiryat Haim, before scoring a 90th-minute equalizer, and winning the match in extra time.
In early March 1954, Israel played the 1954 FIFA World Cup qualification return home matches against Yugoslavia and Greece, and then went on a two-month tour of South Africa.