Go to the following link to follow the match live with commentary on Le Figaro : LIVE – France-Israel: Les Bleus aim for a quarter-final place with a win

The announcement of Israel’s team line-up was whistled at by a section of the Stade de France’s meagre crowd 10 minutes before kick-off.

(Baptiste Desprez at the Stade de France)

Despite the context, it’s time for soccer between the French team and Israel. You can also follow the pre-match sports coverage and the match live with commentary on the following link: LIVE – France-Israel: Les Bleus aim for a quarter-final place with a win

More than 600 people headed to the Stade de France in buses specially chartered by an association for the defense of the Jewish community, placed under police escort, to attend France-Israel, a “high-risk” match after the recent violence in Amsterdam. (with AFP)

On Thursday, French President Emmanuel Macron assured his Israeli counterpart Isaac Herzog and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of France’s commitment to the match. “mobilization of France” for a “good progress of the match” between the two countries.

In separate telephone conversations shortly before the match, “the Head of State presented the security arrangements in place and assured them of France’s mobilization to ensure the smooth running of the match.“, said the Elysée. “France will remain intractable against anti-Semitism, wherever it manifests itself“he reiterated.

(AFP)

“We were already at the Israel games during the Olympics and we had to come here tonight. It was impossible otherwise. Even with what happened in Amsterdam, our position didn’t budge for a moment. We had to be here to support the Israeli team and the players. Our presence is even political“says an Israeli supporter, flag on his head, accompanied by his two children.

(Baptiste Desprez at the Stade de France)

In the absence of Mbappé, who is not included in the squad, Kolo Muani will play up front in Didier Deschamps’ 4-3-3 formation. Captain Kanté and Zaïre-Emery return to the starting line-up in midfield, while Konaté and Upamecano are paired in the central hinge.

Les Bleus XI: Maignan – Koundé, Konaté, Upamecano, T. Hernandez – Zaïre-Emery, Kanté (c), Camavinga – Olise, Kolo Muani, Barcola

Amid the heavy security presence at the Stade de France, some journalists were reportedly stopped at the entrance to the stadium.

“So the Prefecture de Police is refusing entry to certain journalists tonight for France-Israel for “security” reasons without giving any further explanation. Where are we, in fact?”, wrote L’Equipe journalist Loïc Tanzi on his X account.

Some of the fans present at the Stade de France on Thursday evening pay their respects in front of the stele of Manuel Dias, who died on November 13, 2015. Flowers have been laid in recent days.

(Baptiste Desprez at the Stade de France)

Leo and Hugo (25) who have come from Vannes for the match: ” It’s our first match at the Stade de France, we bought the tickets 3 weeks ago. When we saw what happened in Amsterdam, it made us doubt. But we don’t want to stop living. We can’t let fear stop us from doing things. The police presence reassured us and we still wanted to see Les Bleus. “

(Baptiste Desprez at the Stade de France)

The stakes, precedents between the two teams, the context at the Stade de France, Les Bleus’ captain, a high-risk match… Everything you need to know ahead of Thursday’s fifth Nations League match between France and Israel.

Read the Figaro article: France-Israel: stakes, bad memories, explosive context… Five questions on a high-tension match

A few establishments have chosen to open. No prohibition, they’re just outside the perimeter. It’s not the crowds…

(Christophe Remise at the Stade de France)

Thirty minutes before the stadium doors open to the public, few people are waiting patiently. Between 15,000 and 20,000 spectators are expected to attend France-Israel this evening.

(Baptiste Desprez at the Stade de France)

It’s not so much a question of who will start up front, or whether Les Bleus will win or lose. the implications of Kylian Mbappé’s absence. This Thursday evening at the Stade de France, fans, observers and perhaps even players will be asking themselves: will the reception of the Israeli team go off without a hitch? The war raging in the Middle Easta highly sensitive and complex subject, is generating a great deal of anxiety ahead of a soccer match with relatively little at stake. A feeling already present on the eve of this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris…

Read the Figaro article: In what context did Israel play its matches during the Olympic soccer tournament?

In around 45 minutes, the gates of the stadium should open to welcome the 20,000 fans (maximum) expected.

Israeli diplomatic chief Gideon Saar on Thursday called on France to ensure the safety of Israeli supporters in Paris this evening. “The safety of Israeli supporters must be ensured“Saar told his French counterpart Jean-Noël Barrot during their first telephone conversation, a week after the violence that took place on the sidelines of another match in Amsterdam.

(AFP)

The security arrangements for the soccer match between France and Israel this Thursday evening at the Stade de France (kick-off 8.45pm) will be extremely reinforced. No fewer than 4,000 police officers and gendarmes will be mobilized. They will be supported by a dozen sections from the intervention companies and 70 members of the motorized brigades specialized in the repression of violent action (BRAV-M). What about the help of the Israeli police?

Read Figaro’s verification: France-Israel match: will Israeli police help secure the match?

“It’s going to be a high-risk match Laurent Nuñez makes no secret of the threats hanging over the soccer match between France and Israel this Thursday evening at the Stade de France (kick-off 8:45pm). Referring to “ an extremely reinforced system “, “ very unusual “ for an international match, the Paris Police Prefect announced the deployment of 4,000 police and gendarmes. In detail, some 2,500 members of the forces of law and order are expected to be mobilized around the sports stadium, with the support of a dozen sections from the intervention companies and 70 members of the motorized brigades specialized in the repression of violent action (BRAV-M), ready to intervene to dislodge any troublemakers.

Read the Figaro article: “Zero risk does not exist”: high tension before the France-Israel match as anti-Semitic threat grows

With just under four hours to go before kick-off between France and Israel (8.45pm), the area around the Stade de France is, unsurprisingly, very quiet. Police forces are in place. As a reminder, entry to the stadium is authorized to the public from 6:45pm.

(Baptiste Desprez at the Stade de France)

Hello everyone, and welcome to our Figaro website for live commentary on the pre-match and match between France and Israel, starting at 8:45pm at the Stade de France, as part of matchday 5 of the Nations League. The match is expected to be played in a very special context, with some 20,000 fans (only) expected in the stands of the Saint-Denis stadium.