Ireland Issue Statement on Drawing Israel in UEFA Nations League
The Republic of Ireland were drawn against Israel earlier today (February 12).
The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) have confirmed whether the Republic of Ireland’s national team will face Israel in the 2026/27 UEFA Nations League after drawing in Group B3 against the Middle Eastern nation.
On Thursday (February 12), the 2026/27 UEFA Nations League draw took place in Brussels, Belgium.
Reigning champions Portugal were drawn against Denmark, Norway and Wales in Group A4, while England will face Spain, Croatia and Czechia in Group A3.
Meanwhile, Scotland will play Switzerland, Slovenia and North Macedonia in Group B1, with Northern Ireland facing tests against Hungary, Ukraine, and Georgia in Group B2.
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In Group B3 the Republic of Ireland have been drawn against Israel, Austria and Kosovo, which has prompted the FAI to release a statement to confirm their position after previously submitting a motion to suspend Israel from all UEFA competitions due to the Israel-Gaza conflict in 2025.
A statement from the FAI, relayed by Irish Times in November, read: “The board of directors of the FAI is hereby instructed to and shall, without delay, submit a formal motion to the UEFA executive committee requesting the immediate suspension of the Israel FA (IFA) from UEFA competitions due to its violating two independent provisions of the UEFA statutes."
But despite calls for Israeli clubs and the Israeli national team’s suspension from UEFA and FIFA-sanctioned competitions, the nation is still permitted to take part.
Following the Nations League draw, the FAI released a statement confirming that the Republic of Ireland will fulfil their fixture against Israel in line with UEFA regulations.
A statement, relayed BBC Sport, read: "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."
The exact dates for the Nations League remain unclear but the first round of fixtures will commence on September 24 2026.
Nations League draw:
League A - 1) France, Italy, Belgium, Turkey 2) Germany, Netherlands, Serbia, Greece 3) Spain, Croatia, England, Czechia 4) Portugal, Denmark, Norway, Wales
League B - 1) Scotland, Switzerland, Slovenia, North Macedonia 2) Hungary, Ukraine, Georgia, Northern Ireland 3) Israel, Austria, Republic of Ireland, Kosovo 4) Poland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Romania, Sweden
League C - 1) Albania, Finland, Belarus, San Marino 2) Montenegro, Armenia, Cyprus, Gibraltar/Latvia 3) Kazakhstan, Slovakia, Faroe Islands, Moldova 4) Iceland, Bulgaria, Estonia, Malta/Luxembourg
League D - 1) Gibraltar/Latvia, Malta/Luxembourg, Andorra 2) Lithuania, Azerbaijan, Liechtenstein
Topics: Republic of Ireland, UEFA Nations League, Football, UEFA
Luke Davies