Story perspectives

Ireland Set for Israel Nations League Games Amid Boycott Protests

5/28/2026

Summary

Ireland Meets Israel

Ireland will face Israel in Nations League on 27 September at a neutral venue and on 4 October at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.
Seamus Coleman said players should not be forced to answer questions about Israel fixtures.
David Courell warned the association must fulfil the fixtures or face serious consequences.
Nathan Collins said no player would be discouraged from boycotting Israel games, while Palestine Solidarity Campaign protested outside Dáil Éireann to cancel them.

Summary

FAI Boycott

Grassroots branches of the Football Association of Ireland are pushing a motion to boycott Israel fixtures.
The FAI warns that Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) sanctions for refusing the Israel matches could financially cripple the association.
The association argues that such sanctions would jeopardise Ireland’s chances of qualifying for Euro 2028.
UEFA has not yet issued a formal ruling on the potential penalties for a boycott.

History

Historical Context

In 1974 the Asian Football Confederation voted to expel Israel, ending a 13-year regional isolation that later led FIFA to place Israel in UEFA in 1994. The episode echoes the 1964 boycott by fifteen African nations of World Cup qualifying, showing how geopolitical disputes have repeatedly reshaped football’s competition structures.

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Ireland Meets Israel

Ireland will face Israel in Nations League on 27 September at a neutral venue and on 4 October at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.
Seamus Coleman said players should not be forced to answer questions about Israel fixtures.
David Courell warned the association must fulfil the fixtures or face serious consequences.
Nathan Collins said no player would be discouraged from boycotting Israel games, while Palestine Solidarity Campaign protested outside Dáil Éireann to cancel them.

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