Irish soccer chief says country has ‘no choice’ but to play matches against Israel

Despite local pressure to boycott, Football Association of Ireland executive says only ‘viable option’ is to play UEFA games in September and October

By AFP 26 February 2026, 3:25 pm

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Irish players applaud fans following the UEFA Nations League match between England and the Republic of Ireland at Wembley Stadium in London on November 17, 2024. (Ben STANSALL / AFP)

The Republic of Ireland has “no choice” but to fulfill its Nations League fixtures with Israel, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) said after confirming the soccer games would go ahead as scheduled.

The FAI has been under pressure to boycott the two matches, including a home fixture in Dublin on October 4, with several pro-Palestinian Irish politicians and soccer figures urging the federation to withdraw from the fixtures over Israel’s conduct during the war in Gaza and the humanitarian situation in the conflict-ravaged territory.

Anti-Israel, pro-Palestinian sentiment in Ireland is highly visible, with regular mass protests and cross-party political support for Gaza.

The Irish federation passed a motion last November requesting that UEFA immediately suspend Israel from international competition, citing breaches of the European soccer governing body’s statutes.

“While our federation and our members have made our position clear in terms of Israel’s involvement in international football, that has not been taken on board by UEFA,” FAI chief executive David Courell told public broadcaster RTE on Wednesday. “In this situation, difficult as it is, the decision presented to us only has one viable option — which is to fulfill these games.”

Courell added: “We, in reality, do not have a choice for a variety of reasons.”

Anti-Israel protesters demonstrate outside Villa Park in Birmingham on November 6, 2025 ahead of the UEFA Europa League league-stage football match between Aston Villa and Maccabi Tel Aviv. (HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP)

Addressing calls to move the home game outside Ireland on security grounds amid fears protesters could disrupt the match, Courell said the game will take place in Dublin on October 4.

Any switch to a neutral venue must be “on the basis of a formal instruction of safety and security risk. That is not the case,” said Courell.

“The [Irish police] have been very clear that they are confident in their ability to deliver a safe and secure environment to facilitate the game to go ahead here.”

The Israel Football Association has said it hopes to host the Republic of Ireland in Tel Aviv for a September 27 tie, but a venue is yet to be confirmed.