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Months after lobbying for Israel’s national football team to be banned from UEFA, Ireland have agreed to play Israel in the UEFA Nations League.
The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) recently approved a proposal to ban Israel from UEFA in November. The FAI joined the Norwegian and Turkish football confederations in calling for Israel’s expulsion, citing the country’s war in Gaza. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez also made a similar request. The proposals were ultimately rejected.
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Israeli fans wave flags as they cheer on their team as they warm up before the 2026 World Cup Europe zone group I qualifying soccer match between Norway and Israel on October 11, 2025 in Oslo, Norway. (Fredrik Varfjell / NTB / AFP) / Norway OUT)
The FAI has yet to issue a statement on its willingness to play Israel after it called for the team’s expulsion in the autumn.
“In 2025, a proposal was made by the members of the FAI General Assembly to vote on issuing a formal request to the UEFA executive committee for the immediate suspension of the Israel Football Association from UEFA competitions in violation of the UEFA regulations,” the FAI wrote.
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Conor Coventry of the Republic of Ireland plays with Oscar Gloukh of Israel during the UEFA European U21 Championship qualifying second leg match between Israel and the Republic of Ireland at the Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv, Israel. (Seb Daly/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
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The two countries were drawn in Group B3 of the Nations League on Thursday.
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Dublin, Ireland – 6 September 2025; Republic of Ireland fans make their feelings known as they protest against Israel ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F qualifier between the Republic of Ireland and Hungary at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. (David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
UEFA is reportedly looking to vote to suspend Israel with the Gaza war in September, but the proposal was put on hold. FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced that no action will be taken against the club on October 3, after a historic peace proposal by President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Irish soccer fans have protested Israel’s participation in various sports competitions since Hamas attacked the Jewish state on Oct. 7, 2023. Irish protesters held signs that read “Ban Israel from UEFA and FIFA,” and “Israel is a terrorist state” at a demonstration in Dublin on Oct. 4, 2025, within a few days of the second site attack in a year.
Irish football fans were also seen holding signs reading “Show Israel the Red Card” during a match against Hungary in September.
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