Ireland agrees to play Israel in Nations League despite previously calling for ban over Gaza war

Just months aft lobbying for the banishment of the Israeli nationalist shot squad to beryllium banned from UEFA, Ireland has agreed to play Israel this autumn successful Nations League matches. 

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) lone conscionable approved a question calling for Israel to beryllium banned from UEFA backmost successful November. The FAI joined the shot federations of Norway and Turkey successful calling for Israel's banishment, citing the country's warfare successful Gaza. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez besides made a akin plea. The motions were yet rejected. 

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Israeli fans question flags arsenic they cheer their squad warming up anterior to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers Europe portion radical I shot lucifer betwixt Norway and Israel connected October 11, 2025 successful Oslo, Norway.   (Fredrik Varfjell / NTB / AFP) / Norway OUT)

The FAI has not released a connection addressing its willingness to play Israel aft calling for the team's banishment successful the fall. 

"In 2025, a question was projected by members of the FAI General Assembly to ballot connected issuing a ceremonial petition to the UEFA enforcement committee for the contiguous suspension of the Israel Football Association from UEFA competitions for a breach of UEFA statutes," the FAI wrote.

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Conor Coventry of Republic of Ireland successful enactment against Oscar Gloukh of Israel during the UEFA European U21 Championship play-off 2nd limb lucifer betwixt Israel and Republic of Ireland astatine Bloomfield Stadium successful Tel Aviv, Israel.  (Seb Daly/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

"Members past voted successful favour to taxable the question to UEFA, which the relation did successful November 2025. While consultation has taken spot with UEFA officials, the relation does recognise that UEFA regulations outline that if an relation refuses to play a lucifer past that fixture volition beryllium forfeited and further disciplinary measures whitethorn travel -- including imaginable disqualification from the competition."

The 2 countries were drawn unneurotic successful Group B3 of the Nations League connected Thursday.

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Dublin , Ireland - 6 September 2025; Republic of Ireland supporters marque their feelings cognize arsenic they protestation against Israel before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F qualifying lucifer betwixt Republic of Ireland and Hungary astatine the Aviva Stadium successful Dublin. (David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

The UEFA was reportedly moving toward a ballot to suspend Israel implicit the warfare successful Gaza successful September, but the question was enactment connected pause. FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced nary enactment would beryllium taken against the squad connected Oct. 3, aft a historical bid connection by President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Irish shot fans person protested Israel's information successful assorted sports leagues since the Hamas onslaught against the Jewish authorities connected Oct. 7, 2023. Irish protesters held signs that work "Ban Israel from UEFA and FIFA," and "Israel is simply a violent state" astatine a protestation successful Dublin connected Oct. 4, 2025, conscionable days earlier the two-year day of the onslaught and astatine different locations passim the state aboriginal successful the year. 

Irish shot fans were besides seen holding signs that work "Show Israel the Red Card" astatine a crippled against Hungary successful September. 

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