Ireland football coach urges players to ‘win this war’ against Israel | Israel-Palestine conflict News
Ireland to Face Israel Amid Calls for Boycott
Published May 28, 2026
The Republic of Ireland’s national football team is preparing for home and away matches against Israel in the UEFA Nations League, amidst increasing pressure to boycott the games.
Manager Heimir Hallgrimsson has urged his players to “win this war” when they face Israel, as protests over the fixtures have intensified within the Irish parliament. The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) is facing mounting criticism from pro-Palestinian politicians and various football figures who have called for the federation to withdraw from the matches, specifically the home game scheduled for October 4 in Dublin.
In November, the FAI passed a motion requesting that UEFA suspend Israel from international competition, although the governing body has not acted on this appeal. Recent protests were held at the Dáil, Ireland’s parliament, emphasizing public discontent regarding the planned fixtures.
Hallgrimsson has expressed his concerns regarding the ethical implications of the matchup. Speaking recently prior to a friendly match against Qatar in Dublin, he stated that he has previously voiced his views on the situation, stressing that the football community does not wish to be perceived negatively in this context.
“The best answer for us is just to win this game, to win this war against them [Israel],” Hallgrimsson said. He emphasized that the players are eager to represent their country and perform well, regardless of the opponent.
Israel is set to utilize a neutral venue for their Nations League match against Ireland on September 27, as the team has previously played its World Cup qualifiers in Hungary. The backlash over the October 4 match, in particular, has prompted discussions about possibly relocating the game. However, the FAI has maintained that it has “no choice” but to proceed with fulfilling both fixtures against Israel.
Hallgrimsson noted the potential drawbacks of moving the match away from home. “It would obviously be a disadvantage from footballing reasons not to play at home. We’ve done really well at home,” he said, referring to the team’s success at their home stadium, Aviva Stadium. He urged the public to support the players rather than protest in a way that could be detrimental to their performance.
