Ireland-Israel: Players Vote to Proceed with Nations League Matches

Sunday 27 September 2026 - 08:22

The Irish national team will ultimately play its two Nations League matches against Israel. After several hours of discussions within the group, the players conducted a vote resulting in the decision to maintain both scheduled matches, announced David Courell, the general director of the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), on Saturday.

A Decision Made After Lengthy Discussions

The decision comes after a particularly tumultuous day for the team. The press conference scheduled before the match and the training session were delayed as players gathered to discuss their participation in the matches against Israel.

David Courell stated that a "significant majority" of players voted in favor of going ahead with the matches. However, the federation did not disclose the exact number of votes for or against.

The first match is set to be played on Sunday, September 27, in Debrecen, Hungary. The second match is scheduled for October 4 in Bačka Topola, Serbia. Both fixtures are organized on neutral ground.

Gavin Bazunu Chooses to Withdraw

The collective vote did not end individual stances. Irish goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu made it known to the group that he did not wish to participate in the matches against Israel. Other players also considered withdrawing, according to reports from The Irish Times.

Discussions surrounding this possibility contributed to the delays in the team's schedule in Debrecen. The federation ultimately confirmed that the majority of the group intended to play in the match.

A Context of Strong Controversy in Ireland

These two matches are being organized amid particularly intense debate in Ireland. Calls for a boycott have been issued by various organizations and figures in the sports world, while more than 160 Irish athletes previously signed an open letter backed by the Irish Sport for Palestine collective.

The issue was also submitted to the FAI's governing bodies. In July, federation delegates approved, by a vote of 75 to 32, with three abstentions, the decision to maintain the matches against Israel.

UEFA also rejected a request from the FAI to prevent Ireland and Israel from being drawn against each other in future draws. The European governing body stated that the criteria used to separate certain teams on political grounds did not apply to the Irish-Israeli case.

Symbolic Measures Announced Around the Matches

Following the vote, David Courell also announced several measures regarding the two matches. Irish players are expected to wear black armbands in tribute to those who have died in the conflict.

The FAI also stated that players plan to contribute to a charitable initiative, with a donation going to a humanitarian organization. According to reports from The Irish Times, players are also expected not to shake hands with their opponents before or after the match.

Thus, the decision to play does not end the debates surrounding these fixtures. It reflects the choice made by the majority of the group to adhere to the Nations League schedule, while some voices within the squad have opted to express their disagreement individually.