Republic of Ireland to honour Nations League commitments against Israel
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, reports BritPanorama.
Ireland and Israel were drawn together in Group B3, alongside Austria and Kosovo, raising immediate questions about the fixture’s viability.
The FAI addressed the situation by acknowledging UEFA regulations allow 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.
A November motion from the FAI’s general assembly had overwhelmingly mandated a formal petition to UEFA for Israel’s removal from all European competitions, passing by 74 votes to seven. Quoting alleged breaches of UEFA statutes, the motion pointed to the Israeli Football Association’s supposed 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 has not acted on the request.
Speculation had circulated about a potential vote on suspending Israel but did not materialise. The prospect of sanction seemed to diminish with the announcement of an Israel-Hamas peace plan for Gaza in October.
Heimir Hallgrímsson, the Icelandic manager, reaffirmed his views on UEFA’s inconsistent treatment of nations during the draw ceremony in Brussels. “I stand by that,” he said, recalling his earlier stance regarding differences in representation between Russia and Israel. “But it’s not my decision if you play or not against them or what decision is taken on a higher level.” He confirmed that participation would ultimately be a decision for the players.
The six group stage fixtures are set to occur between 24 September and 17 November 2026, with scheduling yet to be finalised. The group winner will secure a play-off berth for Euro 2028, although Ireland may qualify as co-hosts, independent of their Nations League performance.
Historically, encounters between Ireland and Israel have been sparse, with five previous meetings yielding one win, one loss, and three draws. Their last match occurred in Dublin in 2005, resulting in a 2-2 stalemate.
As the draw unfolds, the ongoing complexities of geopolitics continue to intersect with sport, reiterating that the realm of international football is seldom uncomplicated. The anticipation builds, but so too do the questions surrounding the implications of these fixtures.
