The Football Association of Ireland has confirmed that the Republic will honour their Nations League commitments against Israel following Thursday’s draw, despite having formally requested the Israeli Football Association’s expulsion from European competitions just three months ago.
Ireland and Israel were placed together in Group B3, alongside Austria and Kosovo, in a draw that immediately raised questions about whether the fixture would proceed.
The FAI moved swiftly to address the matter, acknowledging that UEFA regulations leave little room for manoeuvre.
“The Association does recognise that UEFA regulations outline that if an association refuses to play a match then that fixture will be forfeited and further disciplinary measures may follow – including potential disqualification from the competition,” the governing body stated.
The FAI have announced that the matches against Israel will go ahead
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The November motion represented an overwhelming mandate from the FAI’s general assembly, passing by a margin of 74 votes to seven.
Members directed the association’s board to formally petition UEFA’s executive committee for Israel’s immediate removal from all European club and international tournaments.
The proposal cited alleged breaches of UEFA statutes, specifically pointing to the Israeli Football Association’s purported failure to enforce effective anti-racism policies and the participation of Israeli clubs in occupied Palestinian territories without consent from their Palestinian counterparts.
However, UEFA declined to act upon the request.
Reports had emerged in September suggesting the governing body might hold a vote on suspending Israel, yet no such ballot materialised.
Republic of Ireland were drawn against Israel alongside Austria and Kosovo
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The prospect of suspension appeared to recede further following the announcement of an Israel-Hamas peace plan for Gaza in October.
Heimir Hallgrímsson reaffirmed his position on Thursday, maintaining the stance he articulated last October regarding UEFA’s differential treatment of nations.
“I stand by that,” the Icelandic manager declared at the draw ceremony in Brussels. “But it’s not my decision if you play or not against them or what decision is taken on a higher level.”
Question marks immediately were raised over whether Republic of Ireland vs Israel would go ahead
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The coach had previously questioned the disparity between Russia’s suspension following its invasion of Ukraine and Israel’s continued participation amid the military campaign in Gaza.
“I don’t see the difference in Fifa and Uefa banning Russia and not Israel,” Hallgrímsson had remarked in October 2025.
He indicated that individual squad members would ultimately determine their own involvement.
“It’s every player’s decision to play for the national team or not,” he noted, adding that he intended to concentrate solely on footballing matters.
The six group stage fixtures will take place between 24 September and 17 November 2026, with precise scheduling yet to be determined.
The group winner will secure a play-off berth for Euro 2028, though Ireland may qualify as co-hosts regardless of their Nations League performance.
Ireland’s encounters with Israel have been infrequent, with just five previous meetings producing one victory, one defeat and three stalemates.
The sides last met in Dublin during 2005, when Brian Kerr’s team drew 2-2.
Irish fans have protested against Israel in the past
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Austria present more familiar opposition, having faced Ireland on sixteen occasions, most recently in a 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw at the Aviva Stadium in 2017.
Kosovo, meanwhile, will provide entirely new opposition, having only gained UEFA and FIFA membership in 2016.
