IRELAND WILL PLAY Israel, Austria and Kosovo in the upcoming edition of the Nations League.
The league phase matches will take place between 24 September and 17 November 2026.
Heimir Hallgrímsson’s side will play six matches in total, with a home and away fixture against all three opponents.
The Israel game in particular is expected to attract controversy.
The FAI confirmed they would fulfil the fixtures in a statement released this evening.
The statement read: “The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) confirms that the Ireland Men’s National Team will fulfil their 2026 UEFA Nations League fixtures against Israel after being drawn together in Group B3.
“In 2025, a motion was proposed by members of the FAI General Assembly to vote on issuing a formal request to the Uefa Executive Committee for the immediate suspension of the Israel Football Association from Uefa competitions for a breach of Uefa statutes. Members then voted in favour to submit the motion to Uefa, which the Association did in November 2025.
“While consultation has taken place with Uefa officials, the Association does recognise that Uefa regulations outline that if an association refuses to play a match, then that fixture will be forfeited and further disciplinary measures may follow — including potential disqualification from the competition.”
In October 2025, the Ireland boss said: “I don’t see the difference in Fifa and Uefa banning Russia and not Israel, I don’t see the difference, but I am not speaking on behalf of the FAI or anyone. I just don’t see the difference.
“Would I have struggled if Israel were in our group and we had to play them? I wouldn’t have had a problem with that, but obviously, it’s an absolute tragedy what is happening [in Gaza], and if Fifa and Uefa are banning one nation for the same thing, I don’t see the difference.”
Whether Hallgrímsson is in charge for these games remains to be seen.
The Icelandic coach’s current contract with Ireland is due to expire in the summer.
His decision may depend on whether the Boys in Green can successfully navigate the World Cup qualification playoffs on 26 and 31 March, where they will face Czechia away before a potential final with either Denmark or North Macedonia at the Aviva Stadium.
The defeat of Bulgaria in a two-legged playoff last March meant Ireland avoided relegation and retained their League B status.
A strong performance in the Nations League is important for seeding and can boost a team’s chances of qualification for a major tournament.
Although in Ireland’s case, it is less essential than usual, given that the Boys in Green are likely to qualify for Euro 2028 as tournament co-hosts if they do not advance automatically.
Ireland have played Israel on five occasions previously, with one win, one loss and three draws — the most recent being a 2-2 game in Dublin in 2005 during Brian Kerr’s tenure as manager.
Austria are also a familiar opponent that Ireland have came up against 16 times — most recently, a 1-1 draw in a World Cup qualifier at the Aviva Stadium in 2017.
Meanwhile, it will be the first-ever meeting between Ireland and Kosovo, who were only accepted into Uefa and Fifa in 2016.
The precise time and dates for the fixtures have yet to be confirmed.
Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
Elsewhere, England face a rematch with their Euro 2024 final conquerors, Spain.
The draw took place in Brussels on the day it was announced England head coach Thomas Tuchel had agreed a contract extension, which takes in the Nations League and the European Championship on home soil in 2028.
Spain broke the hearts of England in the final of Euro 2024 in Germany, which turned out to be Gareth Southgate’s final match in charge. Tuchel’s men will also take on Croatia and the Czech Republic in Group A3.
Wales have been placed in Group A4 alongside Nations League holders Portugal, plus Denmark and Norway.
Steve Clarke’s Scotland will take on fellow World Cup 2026 qualifiers Switzerland, along with Slovenia and North Macedonia in Group B1.
Northern Ireland will be up against Hungary, Ukraine and Georgia in B2.
The quarter-finals and promotion-relegation play-offs will be played in March 2027, with the final four to battle it out in the Nations League finals in June.
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Ireland to face Israel in Nations League
IRELAND WILL PLAY Israel, Austria and Kosovo in the upcoming edition of the Nations League.
The league phase matches will take place between 24 September and 17 November 2026.
Heimir Hallgrímsson’s side will play six matches in total, with a home and away fixture against all three opponents.
The Israel game in particular is expected to attract controversy.
The FAI confirmed they would fulfil the fixtures in a statement released this evening.
The statement read: “The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) confirms that the Ireland Men’s National Team will fulfil their 2026 UEFA Nations League fixtures against Israel after being drawn together in Group B3.
“In 2025, a motion was proposed by members of the FAI General Assembly to vote on issuing a formal request to the Uefa Executive Committee for the immediate suspension of the Israel Football Association from Uefa competitions for a breach of Uefa statutes. Members then voted in favour to submit the motion to Uefa, which the Association did in November 2025.
“While consultation has taken place with Uefa officials, the Association does recognise that Uefa regulations outline that if an association refuses to play a match, then that fixture will be forfeited and further disciplinary measures may follow — including potential disqualification from the competition.”
Hallgrímsson previously expressed criticism of Israel over the country’s actions in Gaza.
In October 2025, the Ireland boss said: “I don’t see the difference in Fifa and Uefa banning Russia and not Israel, I don’t see the difference, but I am not speaking on behalf of the FAI or anyone. I just don’t see the difference.
“Would I have struggled if Israel were in our group and we had to play them? I wouldn’t have had a problem with that, but obviously, it’s an absolute tragedy what is happening [in Gaza], and if Fifa and Uefa are banning one nation for the same thing, I don’t see the difference.”
Whether Hallgrímsson is in charge for these games remains to be seen.
The Icelandic coach’s current contract with Ireland is due to expire in the summer.
His decision may depend on whether the Boys in Green can successfully navigate the World Cup qualification playoffs on 26 and 31 March, where they will face Czechia away before a potential final with either Denmark or North Macedonia at the Aviva Stadium.
The defeat of Bulgaria in a two-legged playoff last March meant Ireland avoided relegation and retained their League B status.
A strong performance in the Nations League is important for seeding and can boost a team’s chances of qualification for a major tournament.
Although in Ireland’s case, it is less essential than usual, given that the Boys in Green are likely to qualify for Euro 2028 as tournament co-hosts if they do not advance automatically.
Ireland have played Israel on five occasions previously, with one win, one loss and three draws — the most recent being a 2-2 game in Dublin in 2005 during Brian Kerr’s tenure as manager.
Austria are also a familiar opponent that Ireland have came up against 16 times — most recently, a 1-1 draw in a World Cup qualifier at the Aviva Stadium in 2017.
Meanwhile, it will be the first-ever meeting between Ireland and Kosovo, who were only accepted into Uefa and Fifa in 2016.
The precise time and dates for the fixtures have yet to be confirmed.
Elsewhere, England face a rematch with their Euro 2024 final conquerors, Spain.
The draw took place in Brussels on the day it was announced England head coach Thomas Tuchel had agreed a contract extension, which takes in the Nations League and the European Championship on home soil in 2028.
Spain broke the hearts of England in the final of Euro 2024 in Germany, which turned out to be Gareth Southgate’s final match in charge. Tuchel’s men will also take on Croatia and the Czech Republic in Group A3.
Wales have been placed in Group A4 alongside Nations League holders Portugal, plus Denmark and Norway.
Steve Clarke’s Scotland will take on fellow World Cup 2026 qualifiers Switzerland, along with Slovenia and North Macedonia in Group B1.
Northern Ireland will be up against Hungary, Ukraine and Georgia in B2.
The quarter-finals and promotion-relegation play-offs will be played in March 2027, with the final four to battle it out in the Nations League finals in June.
Additional reporting by Press Association
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