DUBLIN — The Republic of Ireland national soccer team is scheduled to play two UEFA Nations League matches against Israel. The Football Association of Ireland voted to proceed with the matches.

Heimir Hallgrímsson is the coach of the Republic of Ireland national soccer team. He stated that none of his players want to participate in the upcoming matches against Israel.

"We're not playing with genocide, we're playing against genocide. We're playing against Israel, we're not playing with Israel," Hallgrímsson said. The Israel Football Association accused Hallgrímsson of "stupidity, ignorance and hypocrisy" in a social media post.

Micheál Martin is the Taoiseach (prime minister) of Ireland. Martin called on Israeli authorities to withdraw their remarks about Hallgrímsson, describing them as "unacceptable".

"They are unacceptable remarks and should be withdrawn," Martin said. Martin addressed the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday.

The Football Association of Ireland stated it will not facilitate tickets for Irish supporters at either match, citing operational challenges and safety and security concerns. The FAI stated that the Association will update its 2026 FAI Season Ticket holders and Club Ireland members on the appropriate ticketing arrangements, which may include compensation owed or the potential of availing of an extra home game in 2027.

RTÉ is contractually obligated to broadcast the matches but will do so without commentary, punditry, or advertising. Over 160 Irish sportspeople signed an open letter urging the FAI to withdraw from the fixtures. A protest was held at the Republic of Ireland team hotel in Dublin on Monday. Members of the Football Association of Ireland passed a vote last year requesting UEFA suspend Israel from its competitions.

Ireland recognized a Palestinian state in 2024. Israel closed its embassy in Dublin after Ireland recognized a Palestinian state. Israel's foreign minister accused then-Taoiseach Simon Harris of embracing and spreading antisemitic rhetoric. The Irish government formally joined South Africa's legal case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.

Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. More than 73,000 people have been killed in Gaza according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry. Israel has denied committing genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Micheál Martin endorsed UN Secretary General António Guterres’ view that the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank raises concerns about ethnic cleansing.

Why It Matters

The decision to proceed with the fixtures places the Football Association of Ireland at the center of a diplomatic and sporting dispute that spans several years. The matches occur against a backdrop of formal state recognition of Palestine by Ireland in 2024 and subsequent diplomatic friction, including the closure of the Israeli embassy in Dublin.

The FAI cited the risk of disqualification from UEFA competitions as a primary factor in its decision to honor the schedule. This stance contrasts with a vote by FAI members last year requesting that UEFA suspend Israel from its competitions, showing the division between the governing body's administrative obligations and the political positions held by some within the Irish football community.

Timeline

Micheál Martin addressed the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday. The Israel "home game" against Ireland is scheduled for September 27 in Debrecen, Hungary. Only a few hundred Israelis will be permitted at the match in Debrecen, Hungary. The Ireland "home game" against Israel is scheduled for October 4 in Bačka Topola, Serbia. No fans will be permitted at the match in Bačka Topola, Serbia.

What's New

Additional reporting confirmed that Heimir Hallgrímsson said, "We're not playing with genocide, we're playing against genocide. We're playing against Israel, we're not playing with Israel." Micheál Martin said, "They are unacceptable remarks and should be withdrawn." The FAI Board decided to proceed with the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League fixtures, including the matches against Israel, due to the potential disqualification risk.

The FAI held an EGM at the Aviva Stadium to put the motion to its members following the confirmation of the neutral venue for their National League clash with Israel.