The Norwegian Football Association has announced that profits from ticket sales for the game against Israel will go to Doctors Without Borders in the Gaza Strip.
Published October 10, 2025
Norwegian Football Federation President Lise Klavenes is looking forward to meeting with the Israeli side ahead of Saturday’s World Cup qualifiers following the announcement of a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
The Norwegian Football Association announced in August that it would donate proceeds from ticket sales for Saturday’s Group I match against Israel to support the work of Doctors Without Borders in the Gaza Strip, but it was quickly criticized by Israel.
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“I always meet the other football presidents before the game. I value dialogue very much, but the more difficult it becomes, the more important it is to meet, even if it is difficult,” Clavenes said on Friday.
The Israel Football Association criticized the ticket price move at the time, saying: “It would be nice if some of that money could be used to find a condemnation by the Norwegian Football Association for the October 7 massacre that claimed the lives of hundreds of Israeli citizens and children.”
The Israeli government ratified a ceasefire with Hamas early Friday, paving the way for an end to fighting in the Gaza Strip within 24 hours and the release of Israeli prisoners held there within 72 hours.
“Of course, on behalf of all parties around the world, we are very happy that a ceasefire has been reached. Football does not equal peace. Now the bombing over Gaza has stopped and the hostages can return home,” Klavenes said.
“That’s very important and I think it’s very important that all of us, the leaders of football and all the big organizations, give energy and momentum to this peace plan now. We all know there’s a long road to sustainable peace, but it’s everyone’s responsibility to give it energy and momentum.”
The Norwegian Football Association is working closely with Oslo police to address security issues around the match, and Klavenes said he hoped Israeli fans would feel safe attending the match.
“They have been warmly welcomed and nothing we say or say should be construed as being directed at them or that we should feel sympathy for what they went through in this horrific trauma on October 7, 2033,” she said.
“When we say something about condemning attacks on Gaza, it doesn’t mean we so condemn attacks on the people of Gaza.”
The Norwegian men’s team, which has not qualified for the World Cup since 1998, tops the five-team group with 15 points, six points ahead of third-placed Israel, who are behind Italy on goal difference.
