Ireland to face Israel in upcoming Nations League

The Republic of Ireland will play Israel in the 2026-2027 UEFA Nations League as well as matches with Austria and Kosovo.

The two games between Ireland and Israel are likely to be highly politically charged.

In November, the FAI voted to submit a motion to UEFA to ban Israel from its European club and international competitions but following today's draw, the association confirmed it would fulfil the upcoming fixtures against Israel.

"The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) confirms that the Ireland Men's National Team will fulfil their 2026 UEFA Nations League fixtures against Israel after being drawn together in Group B3.

"In 2025, a motion was proposed by 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 for a breach of UEFA statutes. Members then voted in favour to submit the motion to UEFA, which the Association did in November 2025.

"While consultation has taken place with UEFA officials, the Association does recognise that UEFA regulations outline that if an association refuses to play a match then that fixture will be forfeited and further disciplinary measures may follow – including potential disqualification from the competition."

Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson has also called on Israel to be banned from international competition, likening their war in Gaza to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Speaking in October, Hallgrimsson said: "I don't see a difference between FIFA and UEFA banning Russia and not Israel. I don’t see the difference.

"I am not speaking on behalf of the FAI – I just don’t see the difference.

"It is an absolute tragedy what is happening there. If FIFA and UEFA are banning one nation for the same thing, I don’t see the difference."

However, Hallgrimsson also said that he would play against Israel if they had been drawn together.

"Would I have struggled if they wanted Ireland to play Israel, if they were in our group? Of course we would play. I wouldn’t have a problem with that," he said.

Speaking after the draw, from a footballing perspective, he told the BBC: "It's an interesting group. It's going to be tough for us, strong opponents.

"And even Kosovo, they were the lowest ranked team in our group and they had a really impressive record from the last 15 games with two losses, two draws, and 11 wins. So that's a really impressive run.

"We know Austria were one of the first teams to qualify directly for the World Cup from Europe. And then, of course, Israel is always a tough opponent."

Asked whether it will bring off-field implications in being paired with Israel, the Ireland boss said: "Yeah, and that's not my job.

"My job is to focus on the football side and I'm going to do that."

The Ireland women's basketball team will play their own qualifying fixture with Israel next month, despite chief executive of Basketball Ireland, John Feehan, admitting it was not necessariy by choice.

"Everybody thinks these things through from start to finish, but at the end of the day, what's best for basketball in Ireland is that we fulfil the fixtures.

"We just don't believe that we're in a position to not fulfil them at the end of the day. We've been in a situation over the last year and a half where we've had to play Israel three times already.

"This is just to finish out the group stages from our point of view with them. The sooner it's over, the better."

The Republic of Ireland last met Israel during the 2006 World Cup qualifiers where they drew 1-1 and 2-2 in their two group ties.

Israel have been playing their home games in Budapest due to their on-going war in Gaza.

The dates for the home and away ties against Israel, Austria and Kosovo will be set on Friday.

Northern Ireland will meet Hungary, Ukraine and Georgia in Group B2.

England face a rematch with their Euro 2024 final conquerors Spain and will also take on Croatia and the Czech Republic in Group A3.

Wales have been placed in Group A4 alongside Nations League holders Portugal, plus Denmark and Norway.

Scotland will take on fellow World Cup 2026 qualifiers Switzerland, along with Slovenia and North Macedonia in Group B1.

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