LIVE – France-Israel: in a high-tension match, the Blues aim for qualification

A match like no other. This Thursday, November 14, at 8:45 p.m. (live on TF1 and TF1+ (new window)), the French team returns to the Stade de France for the first time since the summer of 2023, on the occasion of the reception of Israel, in the League of Nations. More than the sporting issue, it is more the heavy context surrounding the meeting which arouses interest. In the midst of conflict in the Middle East (new window)in a climate exacerbated by the violence of last week (new window) on the sidelines of a Maccabi Tel Aviv match in Amsterdam, securing the match became a major problem.

Less than 20,000 tickets sold

For a long time, uncertainty reigned regarding the venue hosting the meeting. The Ministry of the Interior finally decided to keep it at the Stade de France, and with the public, even if the police and security agents will be almost as numerous as the supporters. According to our information, less than 20,000 tickets have been sold, in a stadium which can hold quadruple that number, while 4,000 police and gendarmes will be deployed around and in the stadium (an extremely rare occurrence), supported by 1,600 security agents. The Israeli team is protected by the Raid, the elite unit of the national police.

A mobilization such that we almost forget that a football match is being played on the Saint-Denis lawn. And it is not without challenges. Currently second in its Nations League group, the France team can reach the quarter-finals if successful. In the event of a poor performance, Didier Deschamps' men, without Kylian Mbappé, could also validate their ticket depending on the result of Belgium, third in the group, which hosts Italy at the same time. A success, however, would allow the Blues to play a group “final” against Italy on Sunday in Milan (8:45 p.m. live on TF1, TF1+ and live commentary on TF1info). An evening with a double challenge.

Follow the Nations League match between France and Israel from 8:45 p.m. live on TF1, TF1+ and with live commentary with videos of the best moments of the match above.