The Green Post Ireland
The Republic of Ireland have been drawn against Israel, Austria and Kosovo in Group B3 of the 2026-2027 UEFA Nations League, setting up a campaign that could carry both sporting and political significance.
FAI Confirms Fixtures Will Be Played
Following the draw, the Football Association of Ireland confirmed that the men’s national team will honour both home and away fixtures against Israel, despite a previous move within the organisation to seek Israel’s suspension from UEFA competitions.
In 2025, members of the FAI General Assembly voted to submit a motion to UEFA’s Executive Committee requesting the suspension of the Israel Football Association for an alleged breach of UEFA statutes. That motion was formally sent to UEFA in November 2025.
However, the FAI acknowledged that UEFA regulations are clear: any refusal to play a scheduled fixture would result in forfeiture and could trigger further disciplinary action, including possible expulsion from the competition. As a result, Ireland will proceed with all matches as scheduled.
Hallgrímsson’s Position
Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson has previously expressed personal views comparing Israel’s war in Gaza with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, questioning the consistency of international sporting bans.
Speaking last October, he said he did not see a distinction between banning Russia and not applying similar measures to Israel, while stressing that he was not speaking on behalf of the FAI.
At the same time, he made it clear that if drawn against Israel, Ireland would fulfil the fixtures — a stance he reiterated after the draw.
From a purely footballing perspective, Hallgrímsson described Group B3 as demanding. He pointed to Austria’s recent World Cup qualification and highlighted Kosovo’s impressive run of results over their last 15 matches. Israel, he added, remain “always a tough opponent.”
When asked about the potential off-field implications of the fixtures, the Ireland boss was firm: his responsibility lies solely with football matters.
A Politically Sensitive Pairing
The upcoming ties between Ireland and Israel are likely to attract strong public and political attention. Israel have been staging their home matches in Budapest due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, adding another layer of complexity to the fixtures.
The Republic last faced Israel during the 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign, drawing both meetings — 1-1 and 2-2.
Elsewhere, Ireland’s women’s basketball team are also due to play Israel in an upcoming qualifier. Basketball Ireland’s chief executive previously stated that while the situation is difficult, the organisation believes fulfilling fixtures is in the sport’s best interests.
Wider Nations League Draw
In other groups, Northern Ireland have been placed alongside Hungary, Ukraine and Georgia in Group B2.
England will renew rivalry with Euro 2024 champions Spain in Group A3, where Croatia and the Czech Republic also await. Wales face Portugal, Denmark and Norway in Group A4, while Scotland take on Switzerland, Slovenia and North Macedonia in Group B1.
The specific dates for Ireland’s home and away fixtures against Israel, Austria and Kosovo will be confirmed shortly.
