DIRECT. France – Israel: follow the match live

20:46 – It's time for France and Israel!

Mr. Stieler, the German referee of this France-Israel match, whistles the kick-off at the Stade de France. It is the French players who are involved in this first period.

20:41 – The players enter the pitch

In a very sparsely filled French stadium, the two teams enter the pitch. Kick-off will be given in five minutes, just after the two countries' anthems.

20:39 – Only one defeat against Israel

The France team has only lost one of its 10 matches against Israel in its history, with 5 wins and 4 draws. This is the infamous qualifying match for the 1994 World Cup at the Parc des Princes (2-3) in October 1993. An incredible defeat at the Parc des Princes which cost the Blues the World Cup the following summer.

8:35 p.m. – Emmanuel Macron in the stands

The ratio between the number of spectators in the stands and the number of politicians may never be so tight. After the events in Amsterdam, the President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron decided to come and attend this match between France and Israel, to “send a message of fraternity and solidarity after the intolerable anti-Semitic acts which followed the match in Amsterdam “, according to those around him. His two predecessors, Nicolas Sarkozy and François Hollande, as well as Prime Minister Michel Barnier are also present.

20:30 – France-Deschamps: “Ensure that it remains a Football match, despite everything”

Didier Deschamps spoke to the press on Wednesday about the very particular context surrounding this match between France and Israel this Thursday evening at the Stade de France: “We made sure to prepare for this match as normally as possible, recognized the Blues coach No one can be insensitive to the heavy and heavy context. It has consequences in terms of the crowds tomorrow (less than 30,000 people are expected, editor's note). .”

20:25 – France-Deschamps: “Leave Mbappé alone!”

Present in front of the press on Wednesday on the eve of this match between France and Israel, Didier Deschamps could not escape questions about Kylian Mbappé, absent for the second consecutive gathering. The non-call-up of the Real Madrid player, who is not injured, raises a lot of questions but the French coach has once again avoided responding head-on: “I won't say any more (than last Thursday during the announcement of the list, editor's note), he replied. You are free to speak or interpret, I have 23 players to manage, Kylian is not there, leave him alone!

20:20 – Israel-Ben Shimon: “France has an enormous number of players of international dimension”

Israeli coach Ran Ben Shimon does not think that the absence of Kylian Mbappé could harm the France team this Thursday evening, as its pool of players is impressive. “We are in a very difficult group, we are already trying to concentrate on ourselves. But we would be out of context if we were not interested in our opponents, he admitted to the press on Wednesday. When Mbappé does not play no, there is Olise. And when Olise does not play, there is Barcola… France has a huge number of players of international dimension. We are preparing to face those who will be there, with the best possible tactics.

8:15 p.m. – The Blues qualified if..

The French team has the opportunity this week to validate its ticket for the quarter-finals of the League of Nations, which will be played in March 2025. It would take a cataclysm for the French not to be qualified, since they count five points ahead of Belgium before the last two matches against Israel this Thursday and in Italy on Sunday. Any result other than a defeat this Thursday evening would ensure them qualification. In the event of defeat, if Belgium does not manage to beat Italy in Brussels, the Blues will still qualify. If this happens, France would still be 2 points ahead before the final day, which will see the Blues face Italy in Milan and Israel host Belgium in Budapest. It would still take a French defeat and a Belgian victory for Deschamps' players to be eliminated.

20:10 – Israel: Peretz replaces Glazer in goal

As for the Israel team, coach Ran Ben Shimon is renewing the same system (3-4-2-1) seen during the last match between the two teams a month ago. Turgeman, Gloukh and Solomon, the captain, will be responsible for the animation up front, while in the absence of goalkeeper and captain Glazer, FC Bayern goalkeeper Daniel Peretz is given a chance in goal. Israel's starting lineup: Peretz – Shlomo, Feingold, Nachmias – Abada, Fani, Jaber, Jehezkel – Gloukh, Solomon – Turgeman.

20:05 – France: Olise and Zaire-Emery holders

For this meeting against Israel, Didier Deschamps must once again cope without Kylian Mbappé, who remained in Madrid for the second meeting in a row. Randal Kolo Muani, top scorer for the Blues in 2024, is aligned at the forefront of the attack with Olise and Barcola at his side. In the middle, PSG midfielder Zaire-Emery accompanies Kanté and Camavinga. The starting eleven of the France team: Maignan – Kounde, Conate, Upamecano, T. Hernandez – Zaire-Emery, Kante, Camavinga – Olise, Kolo Muani, Barcola.

8:00 p.m. – The Stade de France will ring hollow

The Stade de France will not be full this evening for the match between the France team and Israel. Despite affordable prices, many places remain for sale this Thursday and the French Football Federation fears the worst attendance in the history of the Blues in the Saint-Denis enclosure, while the Blues have rarely been so unattractive on the lawn, especially without Kylian Mbappé. Only 30,000 people could be present in the stands, while the Stade de France can accommodate more than 80,000.

19:55 – Reinforced security at the Stade de France

The Paris police headquarters have strongly reinforced security around the match, which will be played at the Stade de France. The French authorities do not want any incidents, whether before, during or after the match. In total, 4,000 police and gendarmerie officers as well as 1,600 security agents will be mobilized this Thursday evening. A special system has also been put in place in the enclosure to avoid any invasion of the pitch during the meeting. Metal barriers topped with spikes were deployed at the bottom of each stand, while the first seven rows of seats were covered with a tarpaulin, in order to create a “buffer” zone between the stands and the pitch.

19:50 – A very particular context

The context surrounding this meeting between France and Israel makes this normally innocuous (or almost) Nations League match very special. The recent clashes in Amsterdam on the sidelines of the match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel-Aviv, on the night of November 7 to 8, have exacerbated tensions around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Europe. Emmanuel Macron and many politicians will be present in the stands of the Stade de France to symbolically support the Israeli people after these events.

19:30 – Financial damage for the FFF

With only 15,000 spectators and greatly increased resources to prevent risks, the organization of the match will cost the French Football Federation dearly with almost 3.5 million euros spent.

19:00 – A change in preparation for Israel without Mbappé?

Asked about Mbappé's absence, the Israel coach analyzed the situation in front of the press. “I will answer you in two ways. Because we are in a very difficult group, we are already trying to focus on ourselves. But we would be out of context if we were not interested in our opponents. When Mbappé is not playing , there is (Michael) Olise And when Olise does not play, there is (Bradley) Barcola. France has a huge number of players of international dimension. We are preparing to face those who will be there, with the best possible tactics. “

6:30 p.m. – The Blues qualified for the quarterfinals of the Nations League if..

The Blues can officially punch their ticket to the quarter-finals of the Nations League this Thursday evening. To get there, you just have to not lose this Thursday at the Stade de France. Even a defeat would not prevent France from qualifying but on one condition.

6:00 p.m. – Pay attention to your flags if you are at the stadium

Only the French and Israeli flags will be allowed in the stadium, Laurent Nuñez clarified this Thursday morning. If this means that the flags of Palestine are prohibited, the flags of the regions and in particular of Brittany are also prohibited.

17:30 – Deschamps, on the other hand, spoke about the context

“No one can be insensitive to the heavy and heavy context. This has consequences in relation to the crowds tomorrow (around 17,000 people are expected). We must ensure that it remains a football match, despite everything. are not environments that players are used to at the club. I'm going to bring out the key word: but we have to adapt. We have to focus on what we have to do and ensure our qualification for the quarter-finals of the League. nations in March next” explained Didier Deschamps.

17:00 – Players want to avoid talking about context

“Me, I’m just here to play,” explained Dayot Upamecano. Yesterday [lundi]it was November 11 and I love peace and I hope that one day we will find it again. Whatever your religion, wherever you come from, we want peace,” launched the Bayern defender.

16:30 – Kolo Muani’s incredible goals-minutes ratio

Fifth best scorer after 25 caps, tied with Thierry Henry, Randal Kolo Muani is also, quite remarkably, seventh in the goals-minutes of play ratio, between Michel Platini and Karim Benzema.

16:00 – Deschamps: “It’s not ideal”

“It's not ideal” about Randal Kolo Muani's playing time, “but I'm not going to talk about what's happening in Paris, that doesn't concern me. It would be better if he had some playing time but he is not the first, others have experienced this situation, like Olivier Giroud who, during a period at Chelsea, did not play at all. The main thing is that he can continue to have with us. this confidence and this efficiency”

15:30 – Compo surprise ?

For this meeting against Israel, Didier Deschamps must once again cope without Kylian Mbappé, who remained in Madrid for the second meeting in a row. Randal Kolo Muani, top scorer for the Blues in 2024, should be aligned at the forefront of the attack with Olise and Barcola alongside him. In the middle, PSG midfielder Zaire-Emery could accompany Kanté and Camavinga. The probable starting eleven of the France team: Maignan – Koundé, Konaté, Upamecano, T. Hernandez – Zaire-Emery, Kanté, Camavinga – Olise, Kolo Muani, Barcola.

3:00 p.m. – “Leave him alone”

Didier Deschamps was once again annoyed when a journalist asked if he had had an exchange with Kylian Mbappé since his non-selection. “You are free to speak, to interpret, I am not going to repeat what I said. I have a match tomorrow, I have 23 players who are going to go, Kylian is not there, let him quiet, please”

2:30 p.m. – A demonstration planned for the end of the afternoon

“A demonstration in support of Palestine and the inhabitants of Gaza is planned for the end of the afternoon in order to protest against the holding of this meeting between France and Israel. “I am in discussions with the organizers, but this demonstration will have place in Saint-Denis. She doesn't worry me that much. It’s a gathering, people can’t wander around and if that were to be the case, we would oppose it,” explained Laurent Nunez.

2:00 p.m. – Macron, Sarkozy, Hollande in the stands

Although the spectators will be few in number, there will never have been so many politicians inside. The President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron will be there, to “send a message of fraternity and solidarity after the intolerable anti-Semitic acts which followed the match in Amsterdam”, according to his entourage. His two predecessors, Nicolas Sarkozy and François Hollande, as well as Prime Minister Michel Barnier should also be present.