The upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 European qualifiers involving Israel, Norway, and Italy are facing significant security challenges, prompting calls for the suspension of scheduled matches. Pro-Palestinian protesters have consistently demonstrated, demanding the cancellation of these fixtures, with some demonstrations even reaching the training grounds of the host teams.
Authorities in Italy are particularly vocal about the escalating tensions. The Mayor of Udine, Alberto Felice de Toni, has issued a stark warning regarding potential security risks and formally proposed the postponement of the qualifier match between Italy and Israel, which is scheduled for next week.
Israel is set to travel to Oslo to face hosts Norway on October 11 at the Ullevaal Stadium. Following this, just three days later, they are scheduled to play Italy at the Stadio Friuli in Udine, a city where the ongoing conflict in Gaza has fueled considerable public unrest.
In recent weeks, numerous pro-Palestinian demonstrations have taken place across Italy, including in major cities like Rome and Milan. These protests aim to express opposition to Israel’s participation in football tournaments, citing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Some of these demonstrations have unfortunately escalated into clashes between protesters and local police, further highlighting the volatile atmosphere surrounding these high-profile sporting events.
Mayor de Toni articulated his concerns to the Italian newspaper LaPresse, stating, “I have requested that the match be suspended because the current atmosphere is not suitable for celebrating the national team’s match.” He further added that while his request had not been formally considered by the match organizers, who cited “other reasons,” he believed the best alternative solution would be to play the match without spectators in the stadium to prevent potential issues such as objects being thrown onto the pitch. It is noteworthy that Italy, like several other European nations including the United Kingdom and France, does not officially recognize the state of Palestine, a position reiterated during a United Nations meeting in early October.
Security concerns are also prevalent for the match scheduled to be held in Oslo, the capital of Norway. Local authorities there have announced that they will not establish a public fan zone outside the Ullevaal Stadium and plan to significantly increase security personnel around the venue. Protests in Oslo, organized by Palestinian supporters and the Norwegian-Palestinian Executive Committee, have also been publicized, explicitly calling for the cancellation of the upcoming match.
Despite these widespread security anxieties, Karl Petter Loeken, the Secretary General of the Norwegian Football Federation, has publicly assured that the match against Israel will be safe for all attending fans.
From a sporting perspective, these qualifiers are crucial for all teams involved. Currently, Norway leads Group I with 15 points from five matches, placing them ahead of Italy in second and Israel in third, both with 9 points. Estonia and Moldova occupy the bottom positions of the table. The team securing the top spot in the group will directly qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, while the second-placed team will advance to the play-offs.
