Norway's upcoming World Cup qualifier against Israel in Oslo has become the most politically charged fixture of the weekend, overshadowing the sporting stakes with global tensions. Norway leads its group and is on the verge of qualifying for its first World Cup since 1998, but the match is set against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, with Norway's Football Federation openly supporting humanitarian aid and calling for calm. Security measures have been heightened, and both federations have exchanged pointed statements, making the game a focal point for political debate as much as football.

Elsewhere, Inter and Atletico Madrid are set to play a friendly in Libya, raising questions about the appropriateness of hosting such an event in a divided and unstable country. Financial incentives appear to have outweighed security concerns, with Barcelona pulling out of the fixture at the last minute. Meanwhile, Italy's Under-21 team has adopted an unusual training method, wearing eye patches to improve depth perception and visual strength, hoping for a competitive edge in upcoming qualifiers.

The weekend also saw Austria's Marko Arnautovic break his country's all-time scoring record in a 10-0 rout of San Marino, highlighting the unpredictable and dramatic nature of international football.