By DANIELLA MATAR, Related Press
UDINE, Italy (AP) — Snipers had been on the roof of the Israel staff lodge in Udine and the Italian metropolis is on most alert forward of a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.
The Israel staff bus was escorted to the stadium by 13 police autos, together with some from the particular forces, and a number of other motorbikes.
The sound of helicopters surveilling the town has stuffed the air because the morning, hours earlier than Italy’s match in opposition to Israel was set to kick off at Stadio Friuli. Drones may be noticed within the sky.
Law enforcement officials patrol exterior the Fruili Lodge the place the Israeli nationwide staff is staying, forward of a World Cup 2026, Group I qualifying soccer match between Italy and Israel on the Friuli Stadium in Udine, Italy, Tuesday, Oct.14, 2025. (AP Photograph/Luca Bruno)
Law enforcement officials patrol exterior the Fruili Lodge the place the Israeli nationwide staff is staying, forward of a World Cup 2026, Group I qualifying soccer match between Italy and Israel on the Friuli Stadium in Udine, Italy, Tuesday, Oct.14, 2025. (AP Photograph/Luca Bruno)
Folks protest in opposition to the participation of the Israeli nationwide staff within the 2026 Soccer World Cup qualification match in opposition to Italy being performed within the night in Udine, Italy, Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. (AP Photograph/Luca Bruno)
Folks participate in a pro-Palestinians protest forward of the 2026 World Cup soccer match between Italy and Israel, in Udine, Italy, Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. (Riccardo Modena/LaPresse through AP)
Folks participate in a pro-Palestinians protest forward of the 2026 World Cup soccer match between Italy and Israel, in Udine, Italy, Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. (Riccardo Modena/LaPresse through AP)
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Law enforcement officials patrol exterior the Fruili Lodge the place the Israeli nationwide staff is staying, forward of a World Cup 2026, Group I qualifying soccer match between Italy and Israel on the Friuli Stadium in Udine, Italy, Tuesday, Oct.14, 2025. (AP Photograph/Luca Bruno)
Develop
The match has been positioned within the highest threat class regardless of a breakthrough ceasefire deal that has paused two years of struggle in Gaza.
Shortly earlier than kickoff, round 10,000 individuals had been nonetheless demonstrating at a pro-Palestinian march within the metropolis middle. It had been with out incident and refrained from the stadium which is on the outskirts of the town.
Many retailers and eating places have determined to not open on Tuesday and there are strict guidelines for people who do — together with the removing of any outside furnishings or different objects that would probably be used as weapons.
There can even be snipers on the roof of the sector in addition to a hefty police and army presence.
Italy additionally performed Israel a 12 months in the past in Udine, which was chosen due to the relative issue of reaching the town in north-east Italy, close to the Slovenian border, and the benefit of isolating the stadium, the place highway blocks have been arrange throughout.
The realm has been declared a “red zone,” and solely followers with tickets can move by the tall steel limitations. Supporters have been strongly suggested to reach early due to rigorous checks, with everybody having to move by steel detectors, too.
Simply over 9,000 tickets have been offered for the qualifier at 25,000-seat Stadio Friuli and there are more likely to be fewer individuals contained in the stadium than on the demonstration.
There was additionally a pro-Palestine demonstration final 12 months earlier than the match, however that drew solely round 1,000 protesters.
Initially Printed: October 14, 2025 at 2:46 PM EDT
