Ireland players to wear black armbands during Israel Nations League match

Republic of Ireland players intend to wear black armbands in recognition of the lives lost in the Gaza conflict during Sunday’s Nations League match against Israel in Hungary, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) said Saturday.

FAI Chief Executive David Courell also confirmed that one player had withdrawn from the squad ahead of the match. Courell said the squad had held a vote on whether to play the fixture, with a “significant majority” voting in favor of proceeding with the game.

The match has been the subject of controversy since Ireland and Israel were drawn together in Group B3. The players had faced calls from the Stop The Game campaign, organized by the group Irish Sport for Palestine, to withdraw from the fixtures.

“They also have the intention to wear black armbands in recognition of all lives lost in the (Gaza) conflict,” Courell said at a delayed news conference.

Ireland-Israel game to go ahead despite ‘different views’

The Republic of Ireland confirmed the UEFA Nations League game against Israel to be played in Debrecen, Hungary on Sunday will go ahead despite having "different views."

"The 2026-27 UEFA Nations League fixtures against Israel will be fulfilled," The Football Association of Ireland confirmed in a statement on Saturday.

"The Association made this decision following consultation with the Republic of Ireland players who shared different views and a majority expressed that the fixtures should be played. The Association respects the views of all players involved and appreciates the level of sensitivity concerning these fixtures," it said.

A pre-match press conference with the Irish team's manager Heimir Hallgrimsson and a player was postponed for 15 minutes before it was due to begin on Saturday morning amid speculation over whether the match would take place on Sunday.

According to Irish media reports, several players, including goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, requested to withdraw from the match against Israel.

Playing ‘against genocide’

Republic of Ireland midfielder Jason Knight had become the first national team player to publicly say that the country should not play its upcoming UEFA Nations League match against Israel.

"I don’t think the game should be going ahead, but it is going ahead," he said. The 25-year-old Bristol City midfielder said the squad would hold more detailed discussions before deciding how to approach Sunday’s match in Hungary.

More than 160 Irish athletes have signed an open letter urging the national team not to play, while the Stop The Game campaign has organized demonstrations demanding Israel’s suspension from international football.

Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson previously said some players felt “really uncomfortable” about the matches and described the team as playing “against genocide,” prompting a sharp response from the Israeli Football Association.

The first match will take place at the Nagyerdei Stadium in Debrecen on Sunday. The return fixture, officially Ireland’s home game, has been moved from Dublin to Backa Topola, Serbia, and will be played behind closed doors on Oct. 4.