On the eve of the Italy-Israel match scheduled for this Sunday in Debrecen, Hungary, as part of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Italy finds itself embroiled in a controversy that extends far beyond the playing field. The question is no longer just a sporting one, but a political and moral one: should Israel be played in the current context of the war in Gaza? For several days, calls have been growing for the postponement or cancellation of the return leg, scheduled for October 14 in Udine. The mayor of Udine, Alberto Felice De Toni, has spoken publicly, deeming the match "inappropriate" and hoping for its postponement, while reiterating that the final decision rests with UEFA, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), and Udinese, the stadium's owner. These positions are not isolated.
Forty-four parliamentarians from the Democratic Party and the center-left have launched a campaign to ban Israel from all international sports competitions. They found unexpected support in the world of football, with the Italian Coaches Association (AIAC), chaired by Renzo Ulivieri, who argued that a suspension of the Israeli national team would be "not only symbolic, but necessary, responding to a moral imperative." In the wake of this, a petition called Stop the Game gathered more than 22,000 signatures, increasing the pressure on Italian and European sports institutions. " I am a man of peace, and the worst thing is to see civilians and children go through what they are going through. We will return to Coverciano tomorrow to prepare for the match. I know that President Gravina is working on it (to organize the match properly, editor's note). We were simply unlucky to have them in our group." But that's how it is, we're here, and something unbelievable happens. These are painful things we're seeing. I can't say more ," the coach said Friday evening after the 5-0 victory against Estonia.
A historic popular uprising in Italy
This political and civil mobilization was fueled by a prior decision: the refusal of the municipality of Bari to host the return leg. Mayor Vito Leccese had deemed Israel's participation in a sporting event in his city "inopportune," forcing the FIGC to find an alternative and turn to Udine, which had already hosted last year's Nations League tie. This precedent prompted Mauro Berruto, former coach of the Italian volleyball team and now a Democratic MP, to take the offensive to the national and international arena. He openly called on the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI), the FIGC, and the Italian members of the IOC to plead with FIFA, UEFA, and the IOC for Israel's immediate suspension from all world sporting competitions: "I said I was sorry to have them in our group. They're a team that plays well. It's painful to see what's happening, and I don't want to say more." "It's painful to see people and children lose their lives. We have to play the game, and that's why we're here," the former OM coach reiterated this Sunday at a press conference, on the eve of the match against Israel.
The initiative draws on historical precedents. The sponsors of the petitions and motions point out that Germany and Japan were excluded from international competitions after World War II, and that Russia suffered the same fate after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. They argue that ignoring the current war in the Gaza Strip and the proceedings before the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would amount to a policy of "double standards." Former House Speaker Laura Boldrini, now head of the House Human Rights Committee, has also launched an online petition demanding Israel's suspension from all sporting competitions. In the face of this wave of protest, institutional resistance is being organized. Sports Minister Andrea Abodi, who is close to the Meloni government, rejected any comparison with Russia, saying that "Israel was attacked, while Russia is the aggressor ." For its part, the Forza Italia party, led by Federico Bittner, recalled that "sport must help reduce tensions and remain separate from political considerations.
But local pressure is not abating. Last year, Udine saw more than 2,000 protesters from 80 local associations march alongside the Palestinian community. The use of law enforcement, with armored vehicles and roadblocks, had left its mark. Everything indicates that the return of this match to Udine, if the match goes ahead, could reignite the protests and confirm that this Italy-Israel duel has become a national embarrassment well beyond football. "I am a man of peace, and it breaks my heart to see civilians and children affected; it breaks my heart. But we have a job to do, and the FIGC is also working hard to find solutions and organize a perfect match in Udine, including on a security level. Our duty is to do our job, but I hope that a peaceful solution will be found, and not only in Israel. It's a situation that affects me deeply and pains me ," Gattuso had already detailed a week ago. A case to be continued, but one thing is certain: the spotlight will remain on Italy in the next two matches against Israel.
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