Overview

• The World Cup qualifier goes ahead Tuesday at Stadio Friuli with the match classified as highest risk and supported by helicopters, roadblocks and a heavy police presence.
• The game follows a Gaza ceasefire and the freeing of the last living Israeli hostages alongside hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, circumstances players said weigh on the occasion.
• Italy is second in Group I on 12 points, six behind Norway and three ahead of Israel, and a win would strengthen its path to at least the playoffs since only group winners qualify directly.
• Israel coach Ran Ben Shimon vowed to turn the page after a heavy defeat in Norway, calling each match a blank page, while winger Manor Solomon described joy at news of the hostage releases.
• Udine was chosen for its ease of isolating the venue, and authorities plan to keep the city‑center march away from the stadium after protests flared around recent Israel fixtures in Oslo and at Italy’s base in Florence.