The Republic of Ireland will play Israel in the 2026-2027 UEFA Nations League as well as matches with Austria and Kosovo.<\/p>\n
The two games between Ireland and Israel are likely to be highly politically charged.<\/p>\n
In November, the FAI voted to submit a motion to UEFA to ban Israel from its European club and international competitions<\/a> but following today’s draw, the association confirmed it would fulfil the upcoming fixtures against Israel.<\/p>\n “The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) confirms that the Ireland Men’s National Team will fulfil their 2026 UEFA Nations League fixtures against Israel after being drawn together in Group B3.<\/p>\n “In 2025, a motion was proposed by members of the FAI General Assembly to vote on issuing a formal request to the UEFA Executive Committee for the immediate suspension of the Israel Football Association from UEFA competitions for a breach of UEFA statutes. Members then voted in favour to submit the motion to UEFA, which the Association did in November 2025.<\/p>\n “While consultation has taken place with UEFA officials, the Association does recognise that UEFA regulations outline that if an association refuses to play a match then that fixture will be forfeited and further disciplinary measures may follow \u2013 including potential disqualification from the competition.”<\/p>\n Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson has also called on Israel to be banned from international competition, likening their war in Gaza to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.<\/p>\n Speaking in October, Hallgrimsson said: “I don’t see a difference between FIFA and UEFA banning Russia and not Israel. I don\u2019t see the difference.<\/p>\n “I am not speaking on behalf of the FAI \u2013 I just don\u2019t see the difference.<\/p>\n “It is an absolute tragedy what is happening there. If FIFA and UEFA are banning one nation for the same thing, I don\u2019t see the difference.” <\/p>\n Thoughts from Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson on the #NationsLeague<\/a> draw with his focus for now on the ‘football side’ while @Corktod<\/a> highlights the ‘all sorts of baggage involved’ ahead of the games with Israel #rtesport<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/MIL2ilv06S<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 RT\u00c9 Sport (@RTEsport) February 12, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n However, Hallgrimsson also said that he would play against Israel if they had been drawn together.<\/p>\n “Would I have struggled if they wanted Ireland to play Israel, if they were in our group? Of course we would play. I wouldn\u2019t have a problem with that,” he said.<\/p>\n Speaking after the draw, from a footballing perspective, he told the BBC: “It’s an interesting group. It’s going to be tough for us, strong opponents.<\/p>\n “And even Kosovo, they were the lowest ranked team in our group and they had a really impressive record from the last 15 games with two losses, two draws, and 11 wins. So that’s a really impressive run.<\/p>\n “We know Austria were one of the first teams to qualify directly for the World Cup from Europe. And then, of course, Israel is always a tough opponent.”<\/p>\n Asked whether it will bring off-field implications in being paired with Israel, the Ireland boss said: “Yeah, and that’s not my job.<\/p>\n “My job is to focus on the football side and I’m going to do that.”<\/p>\n The Ireland women’s basketball team will play their own qualifying fixture with Israel next month, despite chief executive of Basketball Ireland, John Feehan, admitting it was not necessariy by choice<\/a>.<\/p>\n “Everybody thinks these things through from start to finish, but at the end of the day, what’s best for basketball in Ireland is that we fulfil the fixtures.<\/p>\n “We just don’t believe that we’re in a position to not fulfil them at the end of the day. We’ve been in a situation over the last year and a half where we’ve had to play Israel three times already.<\/p>\n “This is just to finish out the group stages from our point of view with them. The sooner it’s over, the better.”<\/p>\n The Republic of Ireland last met Israel during the 2006 World Cup qualifiers where they drew 1-1 and 2-2 in their two group ties.<\/p>\n Israel have been playing their home games in Budapest due to their on-going war in Gaza.<\/p>\n The dates for the home and away ties against Israel, Austria and Kosovo will be set on Friday.<\/p>\n Northern Ireland will meet Hungary, Ukraine and Georgia in Group B2.<\/p>\n England face a rematch with their Euro 2024 final conquerors Spain and will also take on Croatia and the Czech Republic in Group A3.<\/p>\n Wales have been placed in Group A4 alongside Nations League holders Portugal, plus Denmark and Norway.<\/p>\n Scotland will take on fellow World Cup 2026 qualifiers Switzerland, along with Slovenia and North Macedonia in Group B1.<\/p>\n