Republic of Ireland to wear black armbands for Israel Nations League tie
September 26, 2026 18:00
Republic of Ireland players intend to wear black armbands "in recognition of all lives lost in the [Gaza] conflict" for Sunday’s Nations League away game against Israel in Debrecen, Hungary, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has said. FAI chief executive David Courell confirmed the squad voted by a "significant majority" to play, but that one player had withdrawn from the squad in protest.
A delayed news conference on Saturday, attended by Courell, manager Heimir Hallgrimsson and FAI director of football John Martin, followed hours of discussion among the players. Courell said the process began after a player — goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu — expressed discomfort and indicated an intent to withdraw. The players held extended meetings at their hotel before the news conference eventually took place at Nagyerdei Stadion.
KEY CONTEXT
The fixtures have been the subject of controversy since the draw paired the Republic of Ireland and Israel in Group B3. Campaigners, including the "Stop The Game" initiative organised by Irish Sport for Palestine, called for the Irish side to withdraw from the matches. Former Republic manager Brian Kerr and ex-international James McClean were among those to have backed calls for a boycott.
Courell said the squad’s actions will include removing some media obligations for the remainder of the international window, not partaking in certain elements of the pre-match ceremony, and making "a significant contribution to charitable donation by virtue of both [Israel] match fees and also the fixture against Austria at the Aviva [Stadium in Dublin on Thursday]." He added players intend further gestures for the initial game and the return 'home' fixture against Israel the following Sunday in Serbia.
WIDER BACKGROUND
The controversy surrounds the wider Israel–Gaza conflict. The source notes the 7 October attack by Hamas on Israel that, it says, killed about 1,200 people and took 251 hostages. It also cites Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, which reports more than 73,000 killed in the subsequent Israeli military offensive; the source adds these figures are considered reliable by the United Nations.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
The immediate next matches referenced by the FAI are the Nations League away game in Debrecen and the return fixture in Serbia next Sunday; the players also referenced the upcoming home match against Austria at the Aviva Stadium. The association said players would continue to make decisions about media and pre-match participation for the remainder of the window.