Lifestyle & Sports
25 Feb 26

FAI confirm Ireland Nations League will compete against Israel at Aviva despite backlash

"After taking legal advice, engaging with key stakeholders and reflecting on our constitutional obligations, we have decided that the Football Association of Ireland will fulfil both fixtures and will host the home match at the Aviva Stadium as scheduled," wrote the FAI in an open letter today.

The Football Association of Ireland have confirmed that the Ireland Nations League will compete against Israel at the Aviva Stadium on October 4.

“Dear Member, following the recent UEFA Nations League draw, which has paired the Republic of Ireland men’s senior team with Israel in September 2026, the Board has carefully considered our position," wrote the FAI in an open letter today.

“The Board also wishes to reiterate that no one within the Association is dismissive of the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. The suffering of civilians is deeply distressing, and the concerns expressed by members are grounded in genuine compassion and principle.

"While our role is to safeguard Irish football, we do not ignore the broader context in which these fixtures arise."

The match was originally drawn on February 12, and was met with much public backlash amid the ongoing genocide in Palestine by the Israeli government.

On February 20, a small protest was held outside of the FAI headquarters at the National Sports Campus in Blanchardstown. People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger spoke at the rally, and an issued an open letter to the FAI condemning their decision to participate in the match.

"By proceeding with this fixture, the FAI, along with the Irish state, contributes to the normalisation of genocide and apartheid," said Coppinger. "Football doesn't exist out of politics."

Following her speech, Coppinger went on to read a list of Palestinian athletes killed within the last two and a half years of genocide.

At an EGM last year, a motion issued by Bohemians calling for Israel to be banned from UEFA competitions was passed by a significant majority. The FAI wrote to UEFA on November 20 to formally request Israel to be banned from the competition.

UEFA have confirmed that they still stand by the decision of not allowing any matches to take place in Israel.