Overview

• UEFA and FIFA have not suspended Israel, so the World Cup qualifier kicks off at 20:45 at Udine’s Bluenergy Stadium.
• Udine designated the event Grade 4, the maximum risk level, deploying roughly 1,000 police, carabinieri, finance police and soldiers with helicopters, drones, concrete barriers and a red zone around the venue, with reporters noting rooftop marksmen near the Israeli team hotel.
• A pro‑Palestine march is scheduled from 17:30 through the city center with organizers expecting up to about 10,000 participants, and authorities plan to keep protesters and spectators separated by several kilometers.
• Stadium capacity was cut to 16,000 seats and sales remain low at roughly 8,000–10,000 tickets, with the away sector closed and only a small contingent of visiting fans expected.
• The Interior’s public security department denied reports of Mossad agents in Israel’s delegation, and broadcasters are following policies that limit airing non‑sporting protests or pitch invasions.