Hallgrimsson spoke to players individually about Israel games
September 17, 2026 15:22
Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson has held one-to-one conversations with every member of his latest squad about the prospect of facing Israel in September and October. He told media that, while players hold a range of views, none feel at ease about taking part in those fixtures — but once the FAI decided the matches would go ahead the squad would unite behind that decision.
Both Nations League meetings with Israel are to be staged at neutral venues: Israel’s designated “home” match will be in Hungary on 27 September and the return fixture in Serbia on 4 October. The Football Association of Ireland has confirmed the home date will be played behind closed doors, and no tickets will be made available to Irish supporters for the away fixture. The international programme also includes a trip to Kosovo on 24 September and a home game against Austria on 1 October.
KEY CONTEXT
The FAI’s choice to proceed followed an extraordinary general meeting in July where delegates backed a motion to fulfil the fixtures, amid concern that boycotting could cause “significant and lasting harm” to the association. That decision has been contested publicly: Irish Sport for Palestine launched a “Stop The Game” campaign urging a boycott, which has drawn support from figures such as former manager Brian Kerr and ex-player James McClean. Protests have previously disrupted international fixtures in Ireland — notably when tennis balls were thrown onto the pitch during May’s friendly with Qatar.
The wider backdrop is the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. The source recounts that the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 resulted in about 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages, and that Israel’s subsequent military offensive in Gaza has, according to the United Nations, led to more than 70,000 Palestinian deaths. Israel has denied allegations of genocide or war crimes and maintains its operations have been a matter of self-defence.
WHY IT MATTERS
The decision to play — and the arrangements around venue and spectator access — carry implications for player welfare, team cohesion and public perception. Hallgrimsson’s individual briefings underline the sensitivity within the squad and the coach’s attempt to manage differing personal views before competitive action resumes. These fixtures will also represent the national team’s first competitive matches since their World Cup play-off semi-final defeat by the Czech Republic in March, meaning how the squad copes with off-field controversy could affect preparations and performance in a key international window.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- Whether the scheduled neutral-venue matches proceed as planned on 27 September (Hungary) and 4 October (Serbia), and whether any further administrative or safety measures are announced.
- How the “Stop The Game” campaign and other protests evolve in the lead-up to those fixtures.
- How the squad, which Hallgrimsson says will present a united front after the FAI decision, handles media scrutiny and any public criticism named FAI director of football John Martin warned players should not be placed under.
KEY FACTS
- Hallgrimsson spoke individually to every player about the Israel fixtures and said none felt comfortable playing them.