UEFA rejected request to keep Republic of Ireland and Israel apart in future draws, FAI confirms

The Football Association of Ireland asked UEFA to ensure the Republic of Ireland and Israel would not be drawn together in future competitions, but the request was turned down. FAI chief executive David Courell confirmed the governing body's response was unambiguous: because Ireland and Israel have never been in direct conflict, there was no basis for keeping them apart.

• The FAI requested after February's draw that Ireland and Israel never be placed in the same group again.
• UEFA rejected the request because no direct conflict exists between the two countries.
• Ireland and Israel will meet on 27 September in Debrecen and 4 October in Backa Topola.
• The 'Stop The Game' campaign is pushing for a boycott over the war in Gaza.
• The FAI still intends to play both matches and says it was the only UEFA federation to formally call for Israel's removal.

How UEFA responded to the FAI request about future draws

Courell explained that the Irish association made the request after the February draw placed the two sides together in the Nations League. UEFA operates a mechanism to keep certain national teams apart, but it applies only when countries are in direct conflict with each other, not when public sentiment is running high.

The FAI chief executive could not recall the precise formal name of that mechanism, but made clear the answer from UEFA left no room for doubt. Since Ireland and Israel have never fought a direct conflict, the request could not be granted. Courell said he took the explanation at face value.

When and where the Nations League games between Ireland and Israel will be played

The draw produced two competitive fixtures. The first takes place on 27 September in Debrecen, Hungary, where Israel will act as the home side and no tickets will be made available to Irish fans. The second, Ireland's home match, will be played on 4 October in Backa Topola, Serbia, behind closed doors.

In June, the FAI confirmed the home fixture would not take place at Dublin's Aviva Stadium. Security considerations linked to the wider international situation forced the game to be moved to Serbia and played without spectators.

Why the FAI decided to play the matches despite boycott calls

At an extraordinary general meeting in July, delegates backed an FAI motion to fulfil both fixtures. The federation argued that boycotting would cause significant and lasting harm to the association, potentially bringing disciplinary and financial consequences.

But that decision has come under growing pressure as the conflict in the Middle East continues. The 'Stop The Game' campaign, launched by Irish Sport for Palestine, is calling for a boycott and has won support from former Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr and ex-international James McClean.

Protests were already visible in May, when a friendly against Qatar in Dublin was disrupted after tennis balls were thrown on to the pitch. Courell, speaking to RTE, said he appreciated the strength of feeling among the Irish public and admitted the FAI would rather not be in this position.

The FAI position on removing Israel from international football

We were the only federation in UEFA, one out of 55, to have done so formally. But at an institutional level, that hasn't happened yet.

The FAI's chief executive pointed out that the Irish federation publicly and formally called for Israel to be banned from international football. According to Courell, it was the only one of UEFA's 55 member federations to take that step.

UEFA has not acted on that call. Courell said the FAI has spoken extensively with European football's governing body over the past year, and the answer has remained consistent: UEFA recognises the FAI's conviction and the solidarity of the Irish people with the Palestinian cause, but it must also weigh the views of the other 54 nations, which are not currently unanimous.

What is at stake for Ireland in the games against Israel

Both matches carry full competitive weight in the Nations League. For the Republic of Ireland, managed by Heimir Hallgrímsson, they offer a chance to collect points in a group where every matchday could prove decisive for promotion or survival.

Playing in neutral venues without their own supporters adds an extra layer of difficulty. Ireland's coaching staff have chosen to speak individually with players about the Israel fixtures, aware of the emotional and media pressure surrounding the tie.