UEFA rejects Irish request to avoid future matches against Israel

UEFA has rejected a request from the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) to avoid future soccer matches against Israel, according to FAI chief executive David Courell. The request was made after Ireland was drawn against Israel in the UEFA Nations League. UEFA stated that decisions to keep national teams apart are made case-by-case, focusing on structural security risks. The upcoming match on September 27 between Israel and Ireland will be played in Debrecen, Hungary, while Ireland's home match on October 4 will be held behind closed doors in Bačka Topola, Serbia, due to "operational challenges." The FAI will not host Israeli representatives at pre-match dinners and is reducing sponsor branding, though it seeks UEFA approval for "Respect" messaging. Despite pressure for a boycott over Israeli military operations in Gaza, the FAI voted to fulfill its UEFA obligations, citing potential financial losses of €5.5 million and harm to its chances of qualifying for UEFA Euro 2028. Courell emphasized, "I have to do my job."