In Ireland, more than 160 sports representatives have signed an open letter calling on the national football team to boycott the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Israel. This was reported by the Jerusalem Post, citing the Irish Sport for Palestine group.
Matches at neutral venues
Ireland’s national team is due to play Israel on September 27 in Hungary, with the return match scheduled for October 4 in Serbia. Both fixtures are to be held at neutral stadiums without spectators following protests by players and fans over the war in Gaza.
Among the signatories, Irish Sport for Palestine named Olympic participant Ciara Mageean, former footballer Louise Quinn, former rugby player Tony Ward, as well as boxers Tyrone McKenna and Eric Donovan. The authors of the appeal said that refusing to take part in the matches would be the most sporting decision and could demonstrate the unifying power of sport.
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Position of the Football Association of Ireland
In May, leading Irish footballers and celebrities had already joined a campaign calling for a boycott of Nations League matches against Israel. At the end of 2025, members of the Football Association of Ireland voted by an overwhelming majority for its board to ask UEFA to immediately suspend the Israel Football Association from European competitions.
Later, the Football Association of Ireland said it would play the scheduled matches, citing possible sanctions that could affect the national team and the association itself. Team head coach Heimir Hallgrímsson said he had separately discussed the matches against Israel with the players and that, according to him, none of them feels comfortable about taking part in these games.
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