There was chaos in Debrecen, Hungary, on Saturday morning, as Republic of Ireland press conferences and training were postponed and multiple reports suggested Sunday’s UEFA Nations League match against Israel was in danger of being canceled as Ireland considered boycotting the game.
What happened on Saturday?
Media members waiting for head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson and a player to speak before the game were reportedly told on Saturday morning that press conferences and training sessions had been postponed, but they had no idea what was going on behind the scenes. Ireland goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu does not want to play against Israel on Sunday, according to multiple reports, sparking a debate over whether the game should go ahead and whether players will boycott the game.
A press conference was held later on Saturday, with FAI chief executive David Courell speaking alongside Hallgrimson and FAI director of football. It was later confirmed that a vote had been held at the hotel following Bazunu’s decision not to play against Israel, with the players’ vote confirmed as “overwhelmingly in favor of playing”. Bazunu was withdrawn from the squad before the game and will not play in Sunday’s game.
weekend background
It’s also an intense week ahead of the start of the UEFA Nations League in September. Hallgrimson made some strong statements against Israel’s actions in the Middle East in Gaza, saying many of the team members felt uncomfortable playing against Israel, adding, “We are not playing genocide, we are fighting genocide.”
The Israel Football Federation released a statement strongly opposing the coach, writing: “We have contributed to the world and humanity in countless areas, winning an impressive Nobel Prize along the way. Unfortunately, we have not found a cure for the stupidity, ignorance and hypocrisy displayed by coaches in the Irish football team. We are not playing against ignorance, hypocrisy and stupidity, we are playing against coaches who embody these.”
Concerns about the match are growing and political pressure is mounting on Ireland not to take part, with more than 160 Irish athletes signing an open letter published by Sport Ireland Palestine asking the Irish Football Association to reverse its previous decision to go ahead with the match.
“This is a big moment where you have a chance to do the right thing. Not playing would be the most athletic thing you can do.”
Due to tensions between the two countries, both games will be played at neutral venues on Sunday, September 27, with Ireland’s home game in Debrecen, Hungary, and Israel’s home game in Serbia on October 4. Irish public broadcaster RTE, which is contractually obliged to show the match, will provide only the match but no studio presentation or commentary, which will come from the international live broadcast. RTE receives no advertising or commercial benefit from either match.
The Republic of Ireland has been one of the most critical of Israel and its actions throughout the conflict. In November 2025, 93% of FAI members voted in support of their leadership to pressure UEFA to suspend Israel in a letter titled “Stop the Game”, signed by League of Ireland players and former men’s coach Brian Cole and two-time Women’s Player of the Year Louise Quinn. The letter included a statement from Roberto Lopez, captain of Shamrock Rovers and chairman of the Professional Footballers’ Association of Ireland.