More than 160 Irish athletes call for a boycott of Ireland vs Israel in the Nations League

Ireland's national team is caught up in growing controversy ahead of its Nations League meeting with Israel. More than 160 Irish athletes have signed an open letter demanding that the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) pull the team out of Sunday's match, which is scheduled to take place in Hungary. The war in Gaza and the role of sport in that context are at the heart of a campaign that has gained momentum for months.

• More than 160 Irish athletes are calling on the national team not to play against Israel.
• The Nations League match takes place on Sunday in Hungary.
• The second meeting between the two teams is set for 4 October in Serbia, on neutral ground.
• The FAI already voted in July on whether to suspend the matches: 75 votes against, 32 in favour and 3 abstentions.
• Signatories include Olympians, former international footballers, former rugby players and boxers.

An open letter signed by more than 160 Irish athletes

The campaign against the Ireland - Israel match brings together figures from a range of sports. The list of signatories includes Olympians, former footballers who wore the national shirt, former rugby players and boxers. They all agree that the FAI could have acted earlier, while stressing that there is still time to step forward and show that sport can bring people together.

The letter argues that pulling out of the match would be the most sporting decision possible under the current circumstances. The signatories see this as a defining moment and an opportunity to do the right thing.

The message from the athletes: football, identity and values

Not playing this match would be the most sporting thing we could do. It is a very important moment and it is an opportunity to do the right thing. Putting on the Ireland shirt and representing your country means a lot, but the Ireland we want to represent is the one that remembers its anti-colonial roots and anti-imperialist resistance.

The text links Ireland's history to the symbolism of the meeting with Israel. For the signatories, the match goes beyond football and becomes a matter of principle connected to the country's memory.

This moment symbolises something very deep, bigger than sport. But this is also sport. It would show the true power of sport to unite people, to remember the values that connect us all and to show the impact beyond the match.

The demand is not limited to the boycott: it also appeals to sport's ability to send messages with global reach. The letter argues that not playing the match would have a far greater impact than playing it.

How the FAI has responded and what happened in the July vote

The Football Association of Ireland already addressed the issue in July. The possibility of suspending the matches against Israel was put to a vote and the result was decisive: 75 votes against, 32 in favour and 3 abstentions. The proposal was rejected and the international fixtures remained in place.

That decision has not stopped the protests. In fact, pressure from players and fans has led to both meetings between Ireland and Israel being played outside Irish territory and in settings shaped by security concerns.

Where Ireland vs Israel is being played

The first Nations League match is scheduled for Sunday in Hungary. The second, set for 4 October, will be played in Serbia. Both are neutral venues chosen in response to mobilisations by players and fans over the war in Gaza.

Hungary and Serbia have become regular hosts for Israel's home fixtures since the conflict disrupted sporting events in the region. UEFA has kept the matches on the calendar, but away from the usual spotlight and under strict security arrangements.

What is at stake for Ireland and Israel in the Nations League

The meeting between the two national teams is part of the Nations League group stage. Ireland are looking to improve their position in the group and build momentum in a competition that offers places at the next European Championship through the play-offs. Israel, meanwhile, are trying to compete in a calendar shaped by travel and neutral venues.

The group standings add tension to a match that already carries a huge weight beyond the pitch. While the FAI defends the continuation of the fixtures, the athletes' campaign is demanding a different response before Sunday.

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