Italy Face Qualifying pressure as European Matches Underway
OSLO, Norway – italy enters Saturday’s Euro 2026 World Cup qualifier against Estonia under notable pressure, as a busy schedule of matches unfolds across the continent. The game,scheduled for 8:45 p.m. local time, is part of a packed program that also includes norway’s highly charged match against Israel, overshadowed by calls for Israel’s suspension from international competitions.
Today’s qualifying action began with a 2-2 draw between Latvia and Andorra in Group K. Other matches include Hungary versus Armenia and Norway versus Israel, both kicking off at 6 p.m., alongside evening fixtures featuring Bulgaria-Türkiye, Spain-Georgia, Portugal-ireland, and Serbia-Albania, all at 8:45 p.m. The schedule follows France’s 3-0 victory over Azerbaijan on Friday.
Security has been heightened for the Norway-Israel match in Oslo, with several hundred demonstrators gathering to protest, chanting “Free Palestine” and opposing the “whitewashing of war crimes” by football. Line Khateeb, president of the Norwegian Palestine Committee, stated, “The message today is to say that we are brandishing the red card against Israel, against apartheid and against genocide.”
portugal will host Ireland at 8:45 p.m. in Lisbon, marking the first home game for the Portuguese national team since the death of Diogo Jota.
