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Just months after lobbying for the Israeli national football team to be banned from UEFA, Ireland has agreed to play Israel this autumn in Nations League matches.
The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has only just approved a motion calling for Israel to be banned from UEFA back in November. The FAI joined the football associations of Norway and Turkey in calling for Israel’s expulsion, citing the country’s war in Gaza. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez also made a similar plea. The proposals were ultimately rejected.
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Israeli fans wave flags as they cheer on their team as they warm up ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifier in Europe zone group I soccer match between Norway and Israel on October 11, 2025 in Oslo, Norway. (Fredrik Varfjell / NTB / AFP) / Norway OUT)
The FAI has not released a statement on its willingness to play Israel after calling for the team’s ban this autumn.
“In 2025, a motion was proposed by members of the FAI General Assembly to vote to issue a formal request to the UEFA Executive Committee for the immediate suspension of the Israel Football Association from UEFA competitions for breaching the UEFA Statutes,” the FAI wrote.
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Conor Coventry of Ireland in action against Oscar Gloukh of Israel during the UEFA European U21 Championship play-off second leg match between Israel and the Republic of Ireland at the Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv, Israel. (Seb Daly/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
“Members then voted to submit the proposal to UEFA, which the association did in November 2025. Although consultations have taken place with UEFA officials, the association acknowledges that UEFA rules outline that if an association refuses to play a match, that match will be forfeited and further disciplinary action may follow – including potential disqualification from the competition.”
The two countries were drawn together in Group B3 of the Nations League on Thursday.
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Dublin, Ireland – 6 September 2025; Ireland supporters show their emotions as they protest against Israel before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F qualifier between Ireland and Hungary at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. (David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
UEFA was reportedly heading for one vote to suspend Israel over the war in Gaza in September, but the proposal was put on hold. FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced that no action would be taken against the team on October 3 following a historic peace proposal by President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Irish football fans have been protesting Israel’s participation in various sports leagues since the Hamas attack on the Jewish state on 7 October 2023. Irish protesters held signs reading “Ban Israel from UEFA and FIFA” and “Israel is a terrorist state” at a protest in Dublin on 4 October – 2025. across the country later this year.
Irish football fans were also seen holding signs reading “Show Israel the red card” at a match against Hungary in September.
