Heimir Hallgrímsson’s men are due to play Israel later this year and it’s increasingly likely that the home game will be played in a neutral country.
17:25, 08 Jun 2026Updated 17:40, 08 Jun 2026
Fans unveil a #StopTheGame banner(Image: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne)
The FAI on Monday issued a statement on the upcoming Nations League clash with Israel.
Heimir Hallgrímsson’s side are pencilled in to play the away game on September 27 in a neutral country, while the home game is scheduled for October 4.
It looks increasingly likely that the latter will also be played abroad, even though Garda advice on hosting Israel at the Aviva Stadium remains unchanged.
In Monday’s statement on the issue, the FAI said that there would be no update on the subject of the Dublin game until later this week.
It read: “In response to the high volume of media queries related to the topic of our upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures versus Israel, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) can confirm that the Board of the FAI continue to meet to discuss the operational aspects of hosting the home fixture, alongside ongoing discussions with UEFA.
“The FAI will not be releasing a statement on any decision on this matter until after the Board Meeting scheduled for June 11th, due to the hugely significant game taking place on Tuesday for our Ireland Women’s National Team, where a victory against France will secure direct qualification for a second successive FIFA Women’s World Cup, which would be a landmark moment for the team and Irish sport.
“The Association reiterates that it is the responsibility of the Board of the FAI to protect the future interests of football in Ireland. Any decision around the game is solely a matter for the Association.”
Moving the home game to a neutral country would not satisfy the demands of a growing number of politicians, supporters and organisations calling for the games to be boycotted.
A ‘Stop The Game’ protest disrupted the recent friendly against Qatar, while Sinn Féin will urge the government to get behind the movement to stop the games from taking place.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald insisted on Monday that moving the game to a neutral venue “does not resolve the issue.”
She added: “The issue is the game itself. These fixtures should not proceed while the genocide in Gaza continues.”
“Our Dáil motion supports the Stop the Game campaign. The call is quite clear – the game should not proceed. The call is not for the game to take place somewhere else.
“Changing the venue of the fixture does not resolve the issue or the reality of what is happening in Gaza.
“Whether this game takes place in Dublin, Hungary or anywhere else is beside the point.
“The issue is that, as the people of Gaza endure starvation, bombardment, mass displacement and unimaginable human suffering, the international community cannot continue with business as usual.
“Every day we witness more death, more destruction and more suffering inflicted on Palestinian civilians. Entire families have been wiped out. Children are being killed and maimed.
“People are queuing for food and aid only to face further violence and danger. The scale of human suffering is almost beyond comprehension.
“Against that backdrop, Ireland should not participate in a sporting fixture against Israel. Sinn Féin’s answer is clear. We do not believe this game should proceed.”
She added: “The government cannot dodge this question by pointing to UEFA, the FAI or a change of venue. This is a political and moral issue.
“The people of Ireland have consistently stood with the Palestinian people. They expect their Government to act in accordance with the values of human rights, justice and international law.
“Moving the game does not resolve the issue. The issue is the game itself. These fixtures should not proceed while the genocide in Gaza continues.”