by InTrieste
Friuli Venezia Giulia authorities are preparing for an extraordinary security operation ahead of next week’s World Cup qualifying match between Italy and Israel, as tensions surrounding the conflict in Gaza continue to spill into Europe.
The game, scheduled to take place at Udine’s Dacia Arena, comes exactly one year after Italy’s 4–1 Nations League victory over Israel. But this time, officials expect a very different atmosphere. With limited ticket sales and widespread concerns over potential protests, the match is shaping up to be one of the most tightly controlled sporting events in recent memory.
While the match is crucial for Italy — which needs a win to secure at least a playoff spot for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada — public attention has largely shifted from the field to security. Demonstrations across Italy have intensified in recent weeks, including one in Florence where pro-Palestinian protesters advanced toward the Italian team’s training center despite police roadblocks. That incident prompted national authorities to raise the security alert to its highest level.
Security Meeting in Udine
Prefect Domenico Lione will convene the Provincial Committee for Public Order and Security on Wednesday to finalize the protection plan. The meeting will include senior police officials and representatives from local administrations, focusing on crowd control, transportation routes, and the safety of players and fans.
As part of the preparations, a basketball game between APU Udine and Virtus Bologna has been moved from Sunday to Saturday evening, allowing security forces to begin securing the stadium area a full day earlier. From Sunday onward, the Dacia Arena and its surroundings will be classified as a restricted zone.
Reinforcements From Across the Region
Additional police units from across the Triveneto region — encompassing Friuli Venezia Giulia, Veneto, and Trentino-Alto Adige — will be deployed to Udine. Authorities expect thousands of protesters to gather but aim to keep demonstrations far from the stadium. Large contingents of officers will also patrol city squares and transport hubs to prevent disruptions.
Reports of Mossad Involvement Denied
Speculation that agents from Israel’s intelligence service, Mossad, would accompany the team circulated in Italian media over the weekend. Prefect Lione denied those reports, saying, “We have no information whatsoever on that matter.” The Interior Ministry also issued a statement rejecting the claim, adding that “no foreign intelligence personnel will be present in Udine.”
While Israeli intelligence has previously provided security support for teams abroad — notably for Maccabi Tel Aviv during a Europa League match in Amsterdam last year — Italian authorities insist that all operations for this match will be handled exclusively by national law enforcement.
For now, officials are urging calm and focusing on maintaining public order. Whether the focus next week can shift back to football remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: when Italy and Israel take the field in Udine, the eyes of both security forces and the public will be watching closely.
