Italy host Israel in a World Cup qualifier on October 14, in Udine the place the stadium solely holds 6,000 spectators.
Printed On 7 Oct 2025
Israel’s World Cup qualifying match at Italy subsequent week is predicted to draw extra pro-Palestinian protesters outdoors the soccer stadium in Udine than ticket-holding spectators inside the sector.
Protesters already approached the gates of Italy’s training centre in Florence final week to demand that the match not be performed due to the conflict in Gaza — a part of a nationwide strike that noticed tens of millions of activists take to the streets.
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“It’s not going to be a relaxed surroundings,” Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso acknowledged Tuesday from contained in the Coverciano coaching centre that was focused. “There will probably be 10,000 individuals outdoors the stadium and 5-6,000 contained in the stadium.”
As of Monday, solely 4,000 tickets have been bought for subsequent Tuesday’s match at Stadio Friuli.
Whereas UEFA had been contemplating suspending Israel over the conflict and Udine Mayor Alberto Felice De Toni had referred to as for the sport to be postponed, with Italy desperately trying to keep away from failing to qualify for a 3rd consecutive World Cup, the four-time champion staff doesn’t plan to danger not enjoying.
“We’ve to play this match. As a result of if we don’t, we’ll lose it 3-0,” Gattuso mentioned, referring to the rule for forfeited matches. “[Italian Football Federation] president [Gabriele] Gravina defined that very nicely.”
There was additionally pressure on the sphere between the 2 squads after the ultimate whistle when Italy edged Israel 5-4 in a nine-goal thriller final month in impartial Hungary — the place Israel has been enjoying its “house” matches throughout the conflict.
The protesters in Italy and elsewhere have additionally been reacting to a global help mission blocked by Israeli forces.
“It’s upsetting to see what’s taking place to harmless individuals and kids,” Gattuso mentioned. “It hurts your coronary heart.”
Italy and Israel are stage six factors behind group chief Norway, with solely the first-place finisher within the group to qualify instantly for subsequent 12 months’s match in North America.
The second-place finishers progress to a playoff — the stage the place Italy was eradicated by Sweden and North Macedonia and dominated out of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, respectively.
“Contemplating that we’re attempting to get to the World Cup and we have to give our absolute all, I’m certain you may perceive that I’d have most popular to play a house sport with the passion that we noticed in Bergamo a month in the past,” Gattuso mentioned, referring to a 5-0 win over Estonia.
Israel might additionally face protests throughout a go to to Norway on Saturday.
The Norwegian soccer federation pledged to present its earnings from ticket gross sales for the sport in Oslo to humanitarian work in Gaza by Medical doctors With out Borders (recognized by its French acronym, MSF).
Italy performed Israel in Udine final October within the Nations League. That sport went off with out incident amid a heavy police presence and regardless of a pro-Palestinian demonstration earlier than the sport. Italy received 4-1.
The Italian Soccer Coaches’ Affiliation (AIAC) wrote to the Italian Football Federation in August, in a letter to be forwarded to European and world soccer’s governing our bodies, calling for Israel to be suspended from worldwide competitors on account of its conflict on Gaza.
