The press conference concludes with a statement from the Israel press officer.
“After the match I met Irish fans in our hotel. They said the most enjoyable match they attended in the last 25 years was in 2005 in Tel Aviv: the hospitality, the parks, the celebration with Israeli fans,” claiming the Irish fans said they want to return soon. He also says the Israel FA received an email on the eve of the Debrecen game from an Irish fan who said he had not missed a game for 30 years aside from during Covid, and so the Israel FA gave him a VIP ticket. “We believe in that, football should be for everyone.”
From Gavin Cooney: Ran Ben-Shimon, Israel’s manager, says the Israel squad did not deal with the pressure going into the previous game against Ireland – “We felt the pressure – we did not react well, I believe something like this can happen on the pitch when you are overthinking, I am trying to prepare our national team the best way, probably I didn’t do a good job. I hope tomorrow will be much better.”
The Israel head coach is asked about Manor Soloman’s comments that “we have a country that is 10 times better than theirs,” and he swerves the question. “I am just not going there, I am staying focused on the professional matters,” he says, before adding that “Manor is a great human being.”
From Gavin Cooney: The Israel coach and FA are quizzed on the details of the allegation made by the Israeli journalist earlier, which led to the cutting short of Hallgrímsson’s press conference.
They do not divulge any details, saying they are focusing on the football and, once that’s out of the way, they may then raise it with Uefa. The Israel FA confirmed they have not yet raised the issue with Uefa.
From Gavin Cooney: An Irish journalist cites a comment last week by the communications manager of the Israel FA that “sport and politics must not mix” and, in this context, whether the Israel FA condemns the pro-IDF (Israel Defence Forces) chanting among their supporters during last week’s game in Hungary. Israel’s head of communications says “We are proud of our military forces,” and that “I am sure each nation is very proud of the army that defends its nation.”
When the Irish journalist repeats the question, the communications manager rejects the premise that the IDF is a political entity. The Israel press office then steps in, saying “we will not take the microphone from you,” but that “we will not answer the question.”
Israel head coach Ran Ben-Shimon admits their team “disappointed the nation” with a 3-0 defeat against Ireland last week, but tomorrow’s game he promises, will be different. “We know what we are playing for”.
Israel head coach Ran Ben Shimon. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho Israel press conference
From Gavin Cooney: The Israel press officer says the first questions will come from the Israeli journalists as “they didn’t get many chances to ask questions in the Irish press conference”.
The Israeli press conference will start in five minutes, Gavin Cooney and Gavin Cummiskey are in Serbia at that one.
Here is Gavin Cooney on the update on the footballing side of things:
[ Ireland captain Dara O’Shea is doubt for Israel match as partner is giving birthOpens in new window ]
The report from Gavin Cummiskey:
The FAI press officer ended Heimir Hallgrímsson’s prematch press conference early ahead of the Uefa Nations League meeting between the Republic of Ireland and Israel on Saturday morning, after what the Ireland manager later described as a “verbal attack” from Israeli reporters.
Read more here…
Reports from the press conference and training will follow from Gavin Cummiskey and Gavin Cooney, while we will back with updates from the Israeli press conference at 4.30pm.
From Gavin Cooney: After that accusation from the Israeli media, it led to the premature ending of the press conference in Serbia, with the Irish media taken elsewhere in the stadium to speak with Hallgrímsson.
Chaotic scenes at Ireland press conference. An Israeli journalist makes an allegation against Irish players which FAI press officer rejects, cutting short the press conference. Led to angry verbal confrontations within the room and again outside…1/2
— Gavin Cooney (@gcooney93) October 3, 2026
A question from the Israeli journalist about the plane incident earlier this week, the FAI communications officer says only football questions. Another journalist asks will Finn Azaz play this game.
“I will not give the starting lineup to journalists before the game,” says Hallgrímsson.
Then a chaotic moment in the press conference as the Israeli journalist makes an allegation about the Irish, which the press officer says “that is not true” and the live part of the presser ends.
Heimir Hallgrimsson speaking in Backa Topola: ‘Surviving this camp and coming out of this together would be a massive win for me. That is coming from my heart.’
— Gavin Cooney (@gcooney93) October 3, 2026
Hallgrímsson says whatever the players have done, they have done it with respect, all obstacles they face will be lesser than they are in the future after this week. He says this will be the moment we grew.
On the alleged racist abuse of Adam Idah: “I just hope we can focus on football, and football will be the winner after this. I have not gone into details.” FAI press officer says: “That investigation is ongoing”.
Hallgrímsson says Dara O’Shea has stayed in London as his wife is due to have a baby. “Hopefully it will be a good centre back for Ireland in 16 years.”
Hallgrímsson says it is his job to keep players focused on football. He says there has been a lot of emotion from the people of Ireland, the challenge is focusing on the football side. He says they have done a lot of work in that area, he says they do a little prayer and huddle before they go onto the pitch, he says Conor Coventry has taken a lead and he has a nickname “Brother Coventry”. He says they try to cool players down.
“It’s a quiet location. The hotel is at the stadium so it is absolutely a perfect location for us.
“It is more travelling for us than most other teams, because we are playing three games away from home.
“It is new for national coaches to rotate players in this window.”
From Gavin Cooney:
We (him and Gavin Cummiskey) are at the TSC Arena in Backa Topola, awaiting Heimir Hallgrimsson. He won’t have far to travel to get here: the Irish team hotel is part of the stadium, so he will just have to pop downstairs
The press conference room in Backa Topola. Photograph: Gavin Cooney
Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson will speak to the media ahead of their match against Israel in Bačka Topola in Serbia at about 11.15pm Irish time. This is designated as a “home” game for Ireland, but has been moved here for security reasons. Last Saturday, it was a wild day for Irish football after goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu withdrew from the squad, not feeling comfortable to play. He won’t take part for this match either, the rest of the team is here apart from James Abankwah, who is suspended after a yellow card against Austria.
“No,” replied Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson earlier this week when asked if his players are planning another vote to boycott the upcoming Israel fixture. “But we thought that as well before the first game,” he said.
Follow updates from the press conference here.