Ireland players vote on whether to go ahead with match against Israel: this is the outcome
The Republic of Ireland will now definitely face Israel in the Nations League on Sunday evening after all. After hours of talks and a vote within the squad, the Football Association of Ireland have decided to let the match in Debrecen, Hungary go ahead.
Ireland's preparations were thrown completely into disarray on Saturday by discussions over the controversial fixture. A planned press conference and training session were postponed several times. Players, staff and the FAI held talks at the team hotel over whether the meeting with Israel should be played.
In the end, the squad voted on whether to fulfil the match. FAI director David Courell said at the delayed press conference on Saturday that a "significant majority" of the players had voted in favour of facing Israel.
Shortly afterwards, the Irish association confirmed the decision in an official statement. "The Football Association of Ireland confirms that the 2026/27 Nations League matches against Israel will be played. The association has taken this decision after consultation with Ireland's players, who shared different views and of whom a majority indicated that the matches should be played."
Not everyone in the squad, however, can support that decision. Head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson confirmed that one player has withdrawn from the squad after saying he did not want to play against Israel: "This morning, one of the players changed his mind." According to various Irish media, it is goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, although his name was not officially confirmed during the press conference.
That unrest had already surfaced after Thursday's 1-0 defeat to Kosovo. Midfielder Jason Knight then said he does not actually think the match against Israel should be played: "Obviously I do not think the match should go ahead, but it is going ahead. We will talk about it in more detail, form our thoughts as a group and move on from there."
Captain Dara O'Shea also said the players are in a particularly difficult position. "We naturally feel vulnerable. In the end, it came to us. Once the decision had been taken above us and at a higher level, it was always clear that in the end it would come back to us."
Hallgrimsson admitted on Saturday that the situation is weighing heavily on his team. "Nobody feels comfortable at the moment. Whatever action we take, there will never be anything that everyone agrees with." Ireland and Israel meet on Sunday at 7.45pm UK time in Debrecen.
