OSLO — As Israel's national team puts the finishing touches on its preparations before flying north for Saturday night's World Cup qualifier in Oslo (19:00 Israel time), Norway's capital is holding its breath.
There's a special kind of tension in the air here - part football fever, part political storm.
"It'll be much tougher without Martin [Ødegaard]," Jan, a local fan, told BabaGol on Wednesday. "Without him, Erling [Haaland] and [Alexander] Sørloth will get fewer quality balls. If Israel defends well and the goals don't come, the pressure could really start to mount."
32 Years After Oslo
Thirty-two years after the Oslo Accords, two years since the October 7 massacre, and with indirect talks to end the longest war in Israel's history continuing in Cairo - Israel's national team is about to land in the city that gave those accords their name.
For Norway, this is the biggest match Oslo has hosted in years. With Haaland leading a golden generation, the Norwegians are dreaming of their first World Cup appearance since 1998.
But the buildup to Saturday goes far beyond the pitch.
Politics in the Background
In the backdrop, the debate over suspending Israel from UEFA, FIFA, and world football refuses to fade—and Norway has been one of the epicenters. NFF President Lise Klaveness, one of the leading voices behind the initiative, recently denied claims by Israel FA chairman Shino Zoertz that she failed to send condolences after October 7 or on its anniversaries.
In a rare move, Klaveness will address local and international media on Friday. Expect fewer questions about formations and tactics—and more about her push for a vote to suspend Israel from international football until the war in Gaza ends.
Nobel and the North
As if that weren't enough, Oslo might also host another global headline this weekend: the potential announcement of a Nobel Peace Prize for U.S. President Donald Trump, recognizing his "efforts to promote peace in the Middle East."
"There's a certain sense of responsibility here," says Hilde Gran, a journalist with one of Norway's leading TV networks. "Some even fear that awarding—or not awarding—the prize before a deal between Israel and Hamas could influence the Cairo talks themselves."
The King, the Parliament, and the Streets
Friday will also see the opening session of Norway's new parliament following a tight election that brought a left-wing coalition—including far-left parties—back to power. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict was a central theme of the campaign.
King Harald V will attend the opening ceremony, and much of central Oslo is expected to be closed off as a result.
And then there are the protests.
Over the coming days, several demonstrations are planned across the city—against the war in Gaza, against Israel, and specifically against the national team's presence in Oslo.
According to sources in the local police, municipality, and media, three major protests are scheduled for matchday:
14:00 – A large demonstration at the Spikersuppa fountain, near the Parliament building.
15:00 – A march heading from the city center toward Ullevaal Stadium.
16:00 – Smaller marches from eastern and western Oslo converging at the stadium for one mass protest.
Organisers include several local and pro-Palestinian groups, some of which held memorial events on October 7.
“The protest on Saturday will be held as planned”, Line Khateeb, head of the Palestine Commitee Norway, told BabaGol on Thursday. “The Israeli regime is still in place, and Israel is still violating the FIFA guidelines by including teams from the illegal settlements in the Israeli league”, she added. “Let’s hope the ceasefire holds and can lead to full withdraw and end of the siege”.
Roads leading to Ullevaal will close about three hours before kickoff. Public transport may pause briefly—around 15 minutes - in symbolic protest against Israel's participation.
Tight Security
Police sources tell BabaGol that authorities are mainly concerned about possible escalation, especially if groups of young protesters from East Oslo attempt to turn the marches confrontational.
Thousands of officers will be deployed across the city on Friday and Saturday—with at least 2,000 stationed at the stadium. Small Palestinian flags are expected in the stands, but political signs are banned. Large flags or banners will be confiscated at entry, and a designated protest area will be set up outside the stadium.
All 24,000 tickets for the match have been sold. Around 3,000 seats in the lower rows will remain empty to create "safety zones" and prevent pitch invasions.
The Center of the Storm
So between the football, the parliament opening with the king, the Nobel announcement, and the protests - Oslo has become the center of a perfect storm.
This weekend, there's no busier place on earth - except, perhaps, Cairo, where Egypt and Mohamed Salah have already booked their World Cup spot, and where Trump himself might just make a surprise appearance.
For now, all eyes are on Oslo. And everyone's hoping - for once -that the drama stays on the pitch.
After nine years at Liverpool, Salah left for Trabzonspor — the money, the family, and the love of being the underdog all played their part.