Overview

• FIFA’s Gianni Infantino asked protesters to keep calm ahead of Israel’s qualifiers in Norway on Saturday and in Udine, Italy, next Tuesday.
• President Donald Trump said Israel and Hamas agreed to the first phase of a plan to pause combat and enable at least some hostage and prisoner releases.
• Italian authorities face security concerns for the Udine match, with reports of roughly 10,000 planned protesters, recent strikes, and activists reaching Italy’s training base in Florence.
• UEFA had weighed suspending Israel and Udine’s mayor sought a postponement, yet calls for a ban have eased and Italy intends to play to protect its World Cup campaign.
• FIFA is coordinating World Cup visa preparations with a White House task force as the U.S. State Department boosts consular staffing to handle increased applications.