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Hello. Today we’re covering Norway versus Israel, a World Cup qualifier with a highly political subtext.
Plus: Is Libya an appropriate setting for a friendly between Atletico Madrid and Inter? And why are Italy Under-21s wearing eye patches?
Norway-Israel: The sport’s most controversial fixture
Norway are on the brink of qualifying for the World Cup for the first time since 1998 (Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
These are heady times for Norwegian football and Norway’s men’s international team. A hold of nerve this month and next would propel them to the 2026 World Cup, their first since 1998. Driven by Erling Haaland, they’ve rarely had a better chance of creating waves at the finals either.
As such, tomorrow’s qualifier against Israel in Oslo — game six of eight in UEFA Group I, which Norway lead by six points — should be a carnival. But world affairs have overtaken sport, turning it into the weekend’s most politically charged fixture.
Norway’s Football Federation (NFF), more than any association in the world bar the Palestinian FA, has long taken a clear and public stance over the conflict involving Israel and Gaza. It has said it will donate money from ticket sales for Israel’s visit to Doctors Without Borders, a charity working to tackle the humanitarian crisis in the region.
Tomorrow’s match falls at the end of the week that marked the second anniversary of the Hamas-led invasion of Israel, when around 1,200 people were killed and 250 taken hostage. Approximately 67,000 people are believed to have died during Israel’s military response according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The game also arrives as the Israeli military declare the beginning of a ceasefire, a process in which the U.S. administration is front and centre.
Politicians in Norway are outspoken in their condemnation of Israel’s actions in Gaza. On the football front, the NFF president, Lise Klaveness, has supported calls for the Israeli national team to be banned from international competitions, the World Cup included, as a consequence of the country’s invasion. “Personally, I believe that since Russia is out (due to its invasion of Ukraine in 2022), Israel should be out,” she told the Norwegian podcast Pop and Politics last month.
As it happens, the Israelis’ prospects of qualifying for 2026 are limited, but that’s not really the point. The country has taken issue with Norway’s critical approach towards it, giving tomorrow’s meeting between their sides a fractious backdrop. Security for it is being upgraded, including the reduction of the capacity at Oslo’s Ullevaal Stadium by 2,500. Despite its position, the NFF called for calm, saying: “This is a football match, not a political demonstration.”
There’s no escaping the backdrop
Israel’s status in international football remains unchanged, despite pressure from certain quarters for their suspension. Neither FIFA, the world governing body, nor European governing body UEFA have moved to vote on the issue. In September, the Donald Trump administration unequivocally indicated that it would oppose any attempt to impose a ban on Israel.
When Norway announced in September that proceeds from tomorrow’s qualifier would go to a charity supporting people in Gaza, Israel’s FA responded with a pointed statement, making reference to Norway’s history of whale hunting. “Please, make sure that the money is not transferred to terrorist organisations or to whale hunting,” the statement read. Banners inside the stadium are to be strictly controlled, although “small Palestinian flags” will be permitted.
Israel head coach, Ran Ben-Shimon, could only say that he would not let “environmental noise affect us”. Their own World Cup record — a solitary appearance back in 1970 — is more sparse than Norway’s and, in that context, his players need a victory. The sport is, like governments across the world, struggling to know how to respond to the Israel-Gaza crisis. An otherwise enticing qualifier in Oslo has become a political football.
News Round-Up
Niko Tsakiris curls in a beauty against Chile for the US U-20s (YouTube/FIFA)
The USA’s Under-20s steamed into the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Chile yesterday, wiping the floor with Italy. There’s some real talent in their squad, and Niko Tsakiris’ free kick (above) was a beauty.
Christian Pulisic might miss tonight’s friendly between the USMNT and Ecuador. He didn’t train yesterday because of an unspecified injury. Mauricio Pochettino will make a late call on him.
Miguel Angel Russo, the coach of Boca Juniors in Argentina, has died aged 69. He had been suffering from prostate cancer.
Tottenham Hotspur’s owners are backing up their insistence that the club won’t be sold by injecting £100m ($133m) in funding. It’s the biggest cash injection they’ve made at Spurs in over 20 years.
Premier League referee Anthony Taylor has spoken out about the abuse he receives, revealing his family no longer attend games because of it.
More voices of dissent towards the drive to take European league matches abroad. FIFA president Gianni Infantino thinks the plans could create a “free-for-all”. And Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong isn’t sold either, admitting: “I don’t like it.”
Lucas Akins, the winger who was jailed earlier this year after admitting to causing the death of a cyclist while driving, has resumed training with English League One side Mansfield Town following his release from prison. Mansfield say their decision is “in line with principles of rehabilitation and reintegration”.
It’s Atletico Madrid vs Inter… in Libya
The Reconstruction Cup-FDRL trophy is a competition that probably won’t ring a bell with you. It’s a prize created to mark the opening of the Benghazi International Stadium, a 42,000-capacity arena newly finished in Libya’s second city.
Tonight, Inter and Atletico Madrid will turn out at the ground to contest the cup and give the venue some profile. The silverware itself is by the by — a token gesture for a friendly fixture — but far more attention is being paid to Inter and Atletico Madrid’s rationale for agreeing to take part.
Libya is regarded as a fairly dangerous part of the globe. The country is divided in two, and two different regimes control separate parts of it. A number of nations, the U.S. and Spain included, advise citizens against travelling there.
Barcelona initially agreed to take part this evening but then backtracked, in part because of security reasons. They’ve repaid £4.3m ($5.8m) they would otherwise have earned. Atletico are reported to be receiving £2.6m, and it stands to reason that Inter will cash in too. It’s a story as old as the hills: money talks.
Why Italian youngsters are training wearing eye patches
Italy’s under-21s have taken on a bizarre look by training while wearing eye patches (Luca Bizzarri – FIGC/FIGC via Getty Images)
Innovation doesn’t ever stand still, no matter how much the well of new ideas is drained.
Last year, we covered the story of Liverpool’s goalkeepers wearing goggles in training designed to limit their vision and improve their natural reactions. Italy have now taken the methodology in a slightly different direction, asking their under-21s to practise while wearing eye patches.
It’s a weird look — I mean, laughably bizarre — but there is a point to it, and athletes in other sports have apparently felt the benefit of it. In theory, the patches develop depth perception and the strength of the dominant eye. Italy Under-21 coach Silvio Baldini has used them in previous club jobs.
The cynic in me wants to mark it down as a 2025 update of the Emperor’s New Clothes but I’ll be following Italy’s European qualifier against Sweden later to see if they’ve developed Jack Sparrow’s knack of winning the day.
Around The Athletic
Endrick hasn’t played for five months and doesn’t look like playing soon either (Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)
Endrick’s situation at Real Madrid is bizarre. He’s a £30m signing who hasn’t played a game for five months, and doesn’t look like playing any time soon. My conclusion from reading Mario Cortegana this morning is that the Brazilian will have to seek a move elsewhere, surely.
Weston McKennie seems to be in a permanent cycle of trying to hold down a place at Juventus. Now he’s battling to re-establish himself with the USMNT, and feeling like a bit of a new starter again. Henry Bushnell spoke to him about his standing in the States.
Not for the first time in their existence, Arsenal are thinking about decamping to Wembley. It would allow them to increase the size of the Emirates Stadium and address a vast season-ticket waiting list. Amy Lawrence has the details.
Ange Postecoglou fascinates me. Could a Premier League manager really be for the chop after such a short time in charge? Our podcast team have been filling us in on what’s actually happening behind the scenes.
Quiz question: Two World Cup fixtures have been played a record seven times. One is Argentina vs Germany (including West Germany). Which is the other? Answers here later today, and in Monday’s TAFC.
Most clicked in Thursday’s TAFC: Manchester United (rashly) promising Ruben Amorim three seasons.
Catch A Match
(Selected games, Times ET/UK)
Friday:
UEFA World Cup qualifiers (2.45pm/7.45pm): Group A: Germany vs Luxembourg;
Group D: France vs Azerbaijan – both Fox Sports, Fubo, VIX/Amazon Prime.
International friendlies: Argentina vs Venezuela, 8pm/1pm – beIn Sports, Fubo, Fanatiz, ViX (U.S. only); USMNT vs Ecuador, 8.30pm/1.30am – TNT, Fubo, Peacock Premium (U.S. only).
Saturday:
UEFA World Cup qualifiers: Group E: Spain vs Georgia, Group F: Portugal vs Republic of Ireland – both 2.45pm/7.45pm and Fubo, Amazon Prime, ViX/Amazon Prime; Group I: Norway vs Israel, 12pm/5pm – Fox, Fubo, ViX (U.S. only).
MLS: Inter Miami vs Atlanta United, 7.30pm/12.30pm – MLS Season Pass/Apple TV
Sunday:
UEFA World Cup qualifiers (both 12pm/5pm): Scotland vs Belarus, 12pm/5pm – Fox, Fubo, ViX/BBC; Group G: Netherlands vs Finland – Fox, Fubo, ViX/Amazon Prime.
MLS: Austin vs LAFC, 7pm/12am – MLS Season Pass/Apple TV.
And Finally…
Marko Arnautovic scored four against San Marino to become Austria’s all-time record goalscorer (Guenther Iby/SEPA.Media /Getty Images)
It’s not often you see a player rushing to fish the ball from the net as a team rampage to a 10-0 victory, but that was Marko Arnautovic last night while Austria were whipping San Marino.
Arnautovic notched four, establishing himself as Austria’s all-time record goalscorer, ahead of Toni Polster, with 45. San Marino’s goal difference after six qualifiers? Minus 27. Somebody stop the count.