Coleman not included in Republic of Ireland squad

WHAT HAPPENED
Seamus Coleman has been left out of the Republic of Ireland's 26-man squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures against Kosovo, Israel and Austria. The 37-year-old, who featured in June's friendlies, is currently without a club and was not selected for the four-match international window.

Manager Heimir Hallgrimsson said both he and Coleman agreed it was appropriate for the defender to miss this set of fixtures. Hallgrimsson added that Coleman wants to keep playing and is staying fit, and indicated an intention for the veteran to return to the squad in the future, ideally as a player.

KEY CONTEXT
Coleman ended a 17-year spell with Everton at the close of the 2025-26 season and made 433 appearances for the club. He has won 81 caps for Ireland. The Nations League group includes away trips to Kosovo (24 September) and Israel (27 September), a home fixture against Austria (1 October) and a second match versus Israel on 4 October.

Several other experienced names are absent from the squad for clear reasons: Robbie Brady is also without a club, while captain Nathan Collins is sidelined with a calf injury sustained for Brentford on 5 September. A number of players were omitted through injury (Evan Ferguson, Josh Cullen, Jack Taylor, Mikey Johnston and Oisin McEntee), and QPR defender Jimmy Dunne is carrying a muscular problem.

Why it matters
Coleman's non-selection removes a long-standing defensive option and leader from the group, at least for this window, freeing a squad place for other players. The combination of absences through injury and clublessness has opened opportunities for newcomers: Sheffield United loanee Liam Kitching has earned his first Ireland call-up, while Cardiff's Joel Bagan and Sligo Rovers' Owen Elding are in contention to win their first caps. The missing availability of captain Nathan Collins also means Ireland will be without their appointed leader while he recovers.

WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- Whether Coleman secures a club and returns to international consideration, as Hallgrimsson suggested he hopes.
- The recovery timelines for Nathan Collins and the injured players named, and how their statuses affect selection for future matches.
- If Liam Kitching, Joel Bagan or Owen Elding make their senior debuts during the four-match window and how they perform at international level.

KEY FACTS
- Seamus Coleman not included in Republic of Ireland's 26-man squad for Nations League fixtures.
- Coleman, 37, is clubless after leaving Everton at the end of 2025-26, having made 433 appearances for the club and earned 81 international caps.