On November 14, a Nations League match between France and Israel is set to take place. “The match nobody in France was waiting for” – that’s the sentiment shared among French fans. It appears that Stade de France will be mostly empty that evening.

Lowest attendance in Stade de France history

After more than a year and a half without a match in Saint-Denis due to Olympic preparations, fans were expecting something different. But now, security concerns and political tensions cast a shadow over the event. Attendance is expected to set a new record low for Stade de France, with only 20,000 spectators. As reported by L’Équipe, the National Unit for Combating Hooliganism (DNLH) has classified this match as very high risk. Security and political issues are taking center stage, especially amid a recent rise in antisemitic, anti-Israeli, and Islamophobic acts in Europe since the start of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza.

The fan association Irrésistibles français illustrates French supporters' reluctance to attend this event. According to Hervé Mougin, the president of the association, only 225 members will show up on Thursday – a stark drop from the usual 1,500–1,800 fans. Faced with such low interest, the organizers conducted a survey to understand the reasons for members' absences. For 15%, it’s due to the political context, with some saying, 'I'm not going to watch Israel.' But for 30%, it’s safety concerns. Clearly, that’s the main obstacle. It's worrying, Mougin explains, noting that the confirmation of spectators being allowed arrived late, further complicating fans' travel plans.

For many, despite the extensive security measures, the fear of unrest is very real, especially after last week's violence in Amsterdam during the match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv. After what happened in Amsterdam, we know that riots could potentially start before fans even reach the stadium. We’ve also seen social media posts saying things like, ‘If you go to the stadium, you’re complicit in genocide.’ When people reach this level of stupidity, what can you do? laments Hervé Mougin.

© Elise Robaglia / Potion Médiatique

Increased security checks, patrols, closed shops…

Given the match’s very high-risk designation, the Ministry of the Interior plans to implement extensive security measures for the day. Speaking on BFMTV, Minister of the Interior Bruno Retailleau outlined the steps being taken to ensure the event proceeds smoothly. Shops will close starting at 3:45 p.m., he announced. Police headquarters ordered the afternoon closure of shops near Stade de France, and a double security perimeter will be set up. The first checkpoint will allow police to conduct searches, while the second will allow football federation staff to verify tickets against IDs, he added.

Security checks won’t end after the match but will continue temporarily. Public transport to the city center will also be closely monitored, with the minister requesting detailed flow-control operations to identify any suspicious individuals on trains, buses, and at toll stations.

A total of 4,000 police officers, along with 1,600 stewards and federation security staff, will be responsible for ensuring safety. Retailleau also described further measures at Stade de France: anti-intrusion gates will be set up around the field, uniformed officers will patrol the corridors, and plainclothes officers will be on hand to take action against those spreading messages of hate. Seats in the first row, closest to the players, will remain empty to prevent any attempts to storm the pitch.

© Dariusz Figura

Will protests impact the match?

Asked about the safety of French Jewish and Israeli fans attending the game, Retailleau assured they would be protected. It’s essential that all fans can enter the stadium and return home safely, he emphasized. The president, prime minister, minister of the interior, and head of the Paris police will be in attendance. Meanwhile, less than 1.5 kilometers from Stade de France, a large protest is scheduled to take place three hours before kickoff, with a single demand: that the France-Israel match be canceled.