Italy Vs Israel In 2026 World Cup Qualifiers: There Will Be More Demonstrators Than Spectators

Pro-Palestinian demonstrations in the Italian capital, Rome, will widen to Italy vs Israel's match in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers (doc. Unsplash/Leonardo Basso).

JAKARTA - The 2026 World Cup Qualification match between Italy hosting Israel at Udine next week is expected to attract more pro-Palestinian demonstrators outside the stadium than spectators holding tickets.

The demonstrators have approached the gates of Italy's training center in Florence last week demanding that matches not be played because of the war in Gaza - part of a national strike involving millions of activists on the road.

"The atmosphere will not be calm. There will be 10,000 people outside the stadium and five to six thousand inside the stadium," said Italian coach Gennaro Gattuso, on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, local time, from within the targeted Coverciano training center.

As of Monday, only 4,000 tickets were sold for next week's game at Stadio Friuli.

Although UEFA has considered suspending Israel over the war and Udine Mayor Alberto Felice De Toni, has requested that the match be postponed, Italy is trying hard to avoid failing to qualify for the third consecutive World Cup. The four-time World Cup champion did not plan to risk not playing.

"We have to play this game. Because if we don't, we will lose 0-3. The President (Indonesian Football Federation), (Gabriele) Gravina, explains it very well," Gattuso said, referring to the rules of the match that were canceled.

Tensions also took place on the pitch between the two teams after the final whistle sounded as Italy beat Israel 5-4 in an exciting nine-goal match last month in neutral Hungary -- where Israel has played its home game.

Protesters in Italy and elsewhere also reacted to international aid missions blocked by Israeli forces.

"It's sad to see what happens to innocent people and children. It hurts my heart," said Gattuso.

Italy and Israel are both six points behind leaders of Group I, Norway, with only the group's first-ranked team qualifying directly for the 2026 World Cup.

The second-placed team advanced to the playoffs--bak in which Italy was eliminated by Sweden and North Macedonia so they did not appear in the 2018 World Cup and 2022.

"Given we are trying to qualify for the 2026 World Cup and having to give everything, I'm sure you can understand that I prefer to play at home with the enthusiasm we saw in Bergamo a month ago," Gattuso said, referring to a 5-0 win over Estonia.

Israel could also face protests during a visit to Norway on Saturday, October 11, 2025.

The Norwegian Football Federation pledged to donate profits from match ticket sales in Oslo for humanitarian activities in Gaza by Doctors Without Borders.

Italy faces Israel in Udine October 2024 in the UEFA Nations League. The match took place without incident amid police tight guard despite pro-Palestinian demonstrations before the match. Italy won 4-1.