The Republic of Ireland will play its upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Israel at neutral venues behind closed doors, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) announced on June 12, 2026 [1, 2, 3, 4].
The home fixture originally scheduled for October 4 at Dublin's Aviva Stadium will no longer be held there. The game will be moved to a neutral location with no spectators allowed. Similarly, Israel's home match against Ireland on September 27 will also take place behind closed doors at a neutral site [1, 2, 3, 4].
The FAI cited "operational challenges that could impact on the delivery of the game on home soil" after consultations with stakeholders. The association said this was the reason for relocating the games away from Ireland and Israel respectively [1, 2, 3, 4]. "Following consultation with various stakeholders, the Association is of the view that operational challenges could impact on the delivery of the game on home soil, so the fixture will be played away from the Aviva Stadium," the FAI said [2].
The decision follows widespread protests and calls for boycott from Irish players, fans, and celebrities in response to the death toll of Palestinian civilians during the Gaza conflict. Nearly 73,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in Gaza since fighting began, according to Gaza health authorities [2, 3, 4].
The war began after Hamas militants attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing approximately 1,200 and taking 251 hostages. The ongoing conflict has prompted intense international responses [2, 3, 4].
Late last year, FAI members voted overwhelmingly to request UEFA suspend the Israel Football Association from European competitions. United Nations experts have appealed to FIFA and UEFA to suspend Israel citing a UN Commission of Inquiry report that accuses Israel of committing genocide during the Gaza war. Israel denies these accusations and calls the UN report scandalous [2, 3, 4].
The Palestinian Football Association expressed its appreciation for Ireland’s stance, "expressed its appreciation for the principled positions taken by the Football Association of Ireland in support of the rights of the Palestinian people and Palestinian athletes" [4].
The Israel home Group B3 Nations League match against Ireland is expected to be held at a neutral venue on September 27, while the Ireland home fixture will take place on October 4, also at a neutral location and behind closed doors [1, 2, 3, 4].
