Overview

• Police ringed the Bluenergy Stadium with concrete barriers and airport-style checkpoints, backed by drones, helicopters, canine units, bomb squads and army support, with the match designated risk level 4.
• A large march in Udine passed near the Israeli team hotel before parts of the protest turned confrontational, with reports of thrown objects and police using tear gas and water cannons in Via della Vittoria.
• Attendance was sharply reduced for security, with capacity capped around 16,000 and roughly 8,000–10,000 tickets sold; about 50 Israel supporters were present under escort.
• Activists staged coordinated demonstrations in more than twenty Italian cities, including outside FIGC and RAI offices, urging the public to boycott the broadcast.
• UEFA and FIFA have not suspended Israel, the FIGC kept the qualifier on the calendar, and Italy sought points toward securing a playoff spot as the federation prepared a donation to Médecins du Monde via the UEFA Foundation.