1 week ago Snipers spotted on the roof of the Israel team hotel in Italy for World Cup qualifier as police clash with pro

Snipers were on the roof of the Israel team hotel in Udine and the Italian city was on maximum alert ahead of a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday. 

Politics

1 week ago Why Israel’s World Cup qualifier against Italy will have a different feel to it

Israel’s World Cup qualifying match against Italy is set to take place amid heightened security

Politics

1 week ago Man City star Erling Haaland's Norway nightmare after double penalty miss

Erling Haaland missed two penalties for Norway in their World Cup qualifier against Israel on Saturday but later redeemed himself on the pitch

Politics

1 week ago Israel’s World Cup qualifier in Norway begins under heavy security and pro

Many Norway fans wore the national Palestine colours at the match

Politics

2 w. ago Tight security and political tension hang over key Norway v Israel World Cup qualifier

The hosts in Oslo are closing in on qualification but the politics surrounding their visitors’ presence casts a shadow over the footballIt will be the most high-security sports event in Norway since the Winter Olympics in 1994. Anti-terror measures are in place throughout Oslo; a no-fly zone will be implemented in the skies above Ullevi Stadion and through all the tension it could be easy to forget that the national team are within touching distance of a first World Cup appearance for 27 years. Beating Israel would put them on the verge but the visitors’ presence has added multiple layers of complexity and controversy.That will be clear on Saturday afternoon, when a crowd of several thousand is expected to march peacefully from the centre of Oslo to a stage set up near the ground. It has been organised by the Palestine Committee in Norway under the slogan “Red card for Israel” and other bodies will be holding their own protests too. Outside Grønland metro station, posters of unclear...

Politics

3 w. ago Israel in line for World Cup qualifying reprieve even if Uefa imposes ban

Ban would take in Nations League and Europa LeagueWorld Cup, co-hosted in 2026 by US, is Fifa competition Uefa is expected to avoid trying to block Israel from World Cup qualifying as it considers measures against the country’s football association.Under plans being worked out by the European game’s governing body that are expected to be voted on by its executive committee this week, the Guardian understands Israel would be banned only from competitions that Uefa directly controls. That means Israel’s men’s and women’s national teams would be excluded from the Nations League and Maccabi Tel Aviv would be removed from this season’s Europa League. Continue reading...

Politics

4 w. ago Israel’s future in Uefa could come to a head before October World Cup qualifiers

National team and club sides could face suspensionNext Uefa international break begins on 6 OctoberUefa could decide as early as next week whether to suspend Israel from its competitions, with the governing body facing growing pressure from inside and outside the game.Reports on Thursday, initially in the Times, suggested a vote that would determine Israel’s participation in World Cup qualifying and that of Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Europa League could be held by Uefa’s executive committee before the international break begins on 6 October. Continue reading...

Politics

4 w. ago Israel’s future in Uefa could come to a head before World Cup qualifiers

National team and club sides may face suspensionNext Uefa international break begins on 6 OctoberUefa could decide as early as next week whether to suspend Israel from its competitions, with the governing body facing growing pressure from inside and outside the game.Reports on Thursday, initially in the Times, suggested a vote that would determine Israel’s ­participation in World Cup qualifying and that of ­Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Europa League could be held by Uefa’s ­executive committee before the ­international break begins on 6 October. Continue reading...

Politics