ROME: FIFA President Gianni Infantino issued an appeal for protesters to keep calm ahead of Israel’s upcoming soccer World Cup qualifying matches in Norway and Italy after an agreement was reached with Hamas to a pause in their devastating two-year war.
Pro-Palestinian protesters approached the gates of the Italy squad’s training center in Florence last week to demand that next Tuesday’s Italy-Israel match in Udine isn’t played — part of a national strike that saw millions of activists take to the streets.
“Now everyone should be happy about (the peace plan) and everyone should support the process,” Infantino, who is Swiss Italian, told reporters on the sidelines of a European Football Clubs (EFC) assembly in the Italian capital on Thursday. “Of course this goes beyond football — but includes football as well.”
Israel visit Norway on Saturday before traveling to Italy, where an estimated 10,000 people were planning to protest the match in Udine before the peace talks began.
On Wednesday, though, US President Donald Trump said Israel and Hamas agreed to the “first phase” of his plan to pause fighting and release at least some hostages and prisoners.
UEFA had been considering suspending Israel over the war and Udine Mayor Alberto Felice De Toni had called for the game to be postponed. But with Italy desperately attempting to avoid failing to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup, the four-time champion do not plan to risk not playing.
World Cup visas
The US State Department announced last week that it will increase staffing at certain embassies and consulates to accommodate an expected major jump in visa applications from fans wanting to attend World Cup matches in the United States next year.
The move came amid concerns over the Trump administration’s crackdown on migration and temporary visas that offer permission to enter the US
With Egypt having just joined Iran and Morocco among the teams qualified, and Saudi Arabia one win away, the visa issue could take on greater significance as soon as the World Cup draw in Washington on Dec. 5.
Ticket sales are underway for the tournament, in which Canada and Mexico will also host matches.
“We have excellent discussions with the US government. There is a White House task force chaired by President Trump and all these topics are discussed there,” said Infantino, who has close relations with Trump.
“With all the relevant secretaries of state there will be no issues with regard to visas, obviously for the participating teams and delegations and so on, and we are working on something as well for fans, hopefully some good news will come out very soon,” Infantino added.
Domestic games abroad a ‘big risk’
UEFA this week announced that it would reluctantly not oppose the tradition-busting plans for Barcelona to play a league game in Miami and for AC Milan to play in Australia.
Infantino suggested FIFA should be the only body organizing games across continents.
“We have a structure whereby we have games at national level, at continental level, and then at global level. And this is a structure that made football the No. 1 sport in the world,” Infantino said. “If we want to break this structure, we take a big risk.”
Shifting World Cup calendar
Infantino also addressed the possibility of revising soccer’s world calendar to move big events like the World Cup and European Championship out of the June-July period due to heat concerns.
Heat was already an issue at the Club World Cup in the US this year and FIFA held the 2022 World Cup in Qatar in November-December to avoid the summer heat there. Something similar is expected when neighboring Saudi Arabia hosts the tournament in 2034.
“Obviously we have to look at the calendar, optimize it, see how we can also find formats of competition that perhaps protect a little more the new needs of the calendar,” Infantino said. “The world is spinning and we must always try to improve.”
The 2030 World Cup in Spain, Portugal and Morocco would likely be contested in extreme conditions if kept in June-July.
But any changes would also likely affect domestic and European competitions like the Champions League.
“This should be all the stakeholders involved. We need to analyze and understand. Then we should look at it, definitely,” said EFC president Nassser Al-Khelaifi, who is also the president of Paris Saint-Germain. “Does something need to change? Yes.”
FIFA president Infantino calls on protesters to keep calm at Israel’s soccer games amid peace talks
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FIFA president Infantino calls on protesters to keep calm at Israel’s soccer games amid peace talks
- Pro-Palestinian protesters approached the gates of the Italy squad’s training center in Florence last week to demand that next Tuesday’s Italy-Israel match in Udine isn’t played
- “Now everyone should be happy about (the peace plan) and everyone should support the process,” Infantino told reporters
Late Nandez winner keeps Al-Qadsiah’s title hopes alive
- Al-Qadsiah move to 47 points, 3 behind leaders Al-Hilal, who are yet to play on Matchday 22
- Al-Taawoun fairytale run loses steam as Pericles Chamusca’s side continue difficult spell
RIYADH: All signs pointed to an unlikely title charge for Al-Qadsiah when they held Al-Hilal to a 2-2 draw in Dammam at the end of January.
Since then, it has been a testing period for Brendan Rodgers’ side.
While they remain unbeaten under the Northern Irishman, Al-Qadsiah have struggled to replicate their earlier intensity as fatigue begins to take its toll.
Despite those challenges, Al-Qadsiah have collected seven points from their last nine, with a dramatic late winner from Nahitan Nandez securing a valuable 1-0 victory over a resilient NEOM side. The road to those three points was anything but easy.
Al-Qadsiah should have been ahead inside three minutes. A high press initiated by Julian Quinones and Mateo Retegui forced NEOM goalkeeper Luis Maximiano into a costly error, with his attempted clearance falling straight to the Italian. The 2024/25 Serie A top scorer struck the post with the goal at his mercy, allowing NEOM to breathe a sigh of relief.
What followed was a tactical battle between Rodgers and Christophe Galtier.
The hosts made a few changes from their previous outing, with Nandez occupying the right flank instead of Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat, while Ali Hazazi slotted into midfield.
NEOM mirrored the system, with their wingers tracking Nandez and Christopher Bonsu Baah as they dropped into a 5-4-1 defensive shape. Faris Abdi was a key outlet for the visitors, surging down the left flank on multiple occasions to support Luciano Rodriguez and Alexandre Lacazette.
It was Rodriguez and Lacazette who fashioned NEOM’s most dangerous chances of the night.
In the 38th minute, Koen Casteels denied Rodriguez with a powerful save. Minutes later, a cutback found Lacazette inside the box, but Casteels was again equal to the effort.
The Belgian emerged as the standout performer, making seven saves to keep Al-Qadsiah in contention. His efforts almost went unrewarded, however, as Retegui failed to convert further chances and Quinones endured his first game in 10 without a goal contribution.
Al-Qadsiah eventually grabbed the winner in the dying moments when a cross from Bonsu Baah was flicked on by new signing Waleed Al-Ahmed into the path of Nandez. The Uruguayan powered home what could prove to be the most valuable goal of the season, keeping Al-Qadsiah firmly in the title hunt.
Elsewhere, Damac enjoyed a perfect start under new manager Fabio Carille, as the Knights from the South secured their second win of the campaign with a 2-1 victory over Al-Taawoun.
Yakou Meite scored twice to give Damac their first win since late December, while Al-Taawoun drifted further from the top four after another match without victory.
The result moves Damac three points clear of Al-Riyadh in 16th place, easing immediate relegation concerns.
Meanwhile, Omar Al-Somah continued his pursuit of the all-time Saudi Pro League scoring record with a late winner for Al-Hazem. The hosts defeated Al-Okhdood 2-1 to climb temporarily into 11th, 12 points clear of the drop zone.
Saudi Pro League action returns on Friday, with Al-Shabab hosting Al-Ahli in Riyadh, Al-Hilal welcoming Al-Ettifaq and Al-Ittihad facing Al-Fayha to close out the day’s action.
