Pressure to boycott Israel game grows as Ireland preparations stall | Football News
Ireland Faces Pressure to Boycott Nations League Matches Against Israel
Published on September 26, 2026
The Ireland national football team is scheduled to play against Israel in the Nations League in Hungary on Sunday, but growing pressure to boycott the matches is complicating preparations both on and off the field.
The team’s news conference and training session, initially set for Saturday, were postponed as discussions about a potential boycott intensified. Journalists in Debrecen, Hungary, where the match is to take place, were informed shortly before the conference was to begin that it would be delayed until after the training session. However, training was also significantly postponed, with reports indicating that players remained at their hotel more than two hours past the scheduled start time.
Irish broadcaster RTE reported that some players expressed reluctance to participate in the upcoming games. “If they’re committed to the idea of being all in it together, if one or more decide to withdraw, it could lead to a collective decision to not play,” RTE Radio 1 correspondent Tony O’Donoghue said.
The call for a boycott has gained traction in Ireland, particularly among supporters sympathetic to the Palestinian cause. The first match is scheduled for Sunday, followed by a second game, which Ireland will host in Backa Topola, Serbia, on October 4.
Midfielder Jason Knight acknowledged the players were in a challenging position, stating after Thursday’s 1-0 loss to Kosovo that he did not believe the matches should proceed.
Ireland coach Heimir Hallgrimsson previously remarked, “We’re not playing with genocide, we’re playing against genocide. We’re playing against Israel, we’re not playing with Israel.” This comment drew sharp criticism from the Israeli Football Association, which labeled it an example of “stupidity, ignorance, and hypocrisy.”
The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has resisted calls to boycott the matches, citing concerns over potential sanctions from UEFA. Ireland is slated to co-host the 2028 European Championship alongside England, Wales, and Scotland.
An open letter signed by more than 160 Irish sports figures urged the FAI to reconsider its stance. Protests have also taken place, including demonstrations outside the team hotel in Dublin, where activists called on players to boycott the upcoming fixtures. The SIPTU trade union displayed a prominent banner on the River Liffey in the city, encouraging players to follow their conscience and avoid playing amid allegations of genocide.
Former Ireland coach Brian Kerr criticized the FAI for its decision to proceed with the games, claiming the organization has “lost the respect of the Irish people.” He noted that public sentiment has been clear for some time, highlighting that the FAI previously petitioned UEFA to exclude Israel from the tournament on principle, a stance they seem to have abandoned.
