Tensions mount ahead of Italy’s home 2026 qualifier against Israel

October 8 – Israel’s World Cup qualifier next Tuesday in Italy is a flashpoint in a geopolitical storm. As the Azzurri prepare to host Israel at the Stadio Friuli in Udine next week, the buildup has been defined by protests, politics, and painful questions about the rights and wrongs of invasions and the war in Gaza.

Thousands of demonstrators are expected outside the stadium in a show of support for the Palestinians. It follows scenes in Florence last week, when protesters surrounded Italy’s training camp to demand the match be canceled over Israel’s war in Palestine. “It’s not going to be a calm environment,” admitted Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso. “There will be 10,000 people outside and 5-6,000 inside the stadium.”

UEFA briefly considered suspending Israel’s participation in qualifying, mirroring the action taken against Russia after its 2022 invasion of Ukraine but, controversially, Israel has not been banned following Hamas’ acceptance of a peace plan. A separate complaint by the Palestine FA to FIFA over Israeli’s illegal settlors in the West Bank playing football teams in the Israeli leagues, has still to be ruled on by FIFA.

Udine’s mayor, Alberto Felice De Toni, has called for the game to be postponed, but Italy, who have made a mess of recent World Cup qualification, cannot risk forfeiting. “We have to play this match. Because if we don’t, we’ll lose it 3-0,” said Gattuso. “President Gravina explained that very well.”

The comparison to Russia’s exclusion from competition is complicating matters. In 2022, UEFA and FIFA expelled Russian teams from all competitions, citing the need to protect “sporting integrity and safety,” however, Israel continues to compete in qualifying, even as the war is ongoing and the humanitarian crises deepens to the point that the UN have cited a number of cases of genocide.

While there are tensions in the circle of politics, tempers have been fraying on the pitch between the two countries. Italy edged Israel 5-4 in a nine-goal thriller in Hungary last month and emotions spilled over at the final whistle.

“It’s upsetting to see what’s happening to innocent people and children,” Gattuso said. “It hurts your heart.”

Both nations sit six points behind group leaders Norway, making this a true six-pointer with the loser surely out of contention for next summer’s tournament.

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