Protests Erupt Ahead of International Soccer Matches Between Ireland and Israel

Activists have intensified efforts to persuade the Ireland team to withdraw from the games, with a protest outside the team’s hotel in Dublin on Monday evening. Over 160 Irish athletes have signed an open letter from the Irish Sport for Palestine Group, urging the FAI to reconsider its participation: "With this moment you have an opportunity to do the right thing."

After announcing his squad, Ireland's coach Heimir Hallgrimsson expressed discomfort about playing but emphasized team unity: "None of us feel comfortable playing in these games, but once we have decided to play them, we all stick together and play as one." He also elaborated on staying focused during the matches, stating, "We’re not playing with genocide, we’re playing against genocide. We’re playing against Israel, we’re not playing with Israel."

Israel has denied accusations of deliberately targeting civilians in Gaza, where it has faced claims of genocide, particularly following its military response to a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. These claims have led to an ongoing genocide case against Israel filed by South Africa at the International Court of Justice.

In response to Hallgrimsson's remarks, the Israel FA criticized him on social media, emphasizing Israel’s contributions to humanity, while dismissing Hallgrimsson’s comments as ignorant and hypocritical.

Since an October 2025 ceasefire, which decreased fighting intensity, Israel has reportedly conducted strikes that have killed over 1,375 people, according to local health officials. The conflict has resulted in over 73,821 Palestinian deaths as per Gaza’s Health Ministry, which is linked to the Hamas-run government and is generally regarded as a reliable source by international organizations.

Calls for Ireland to boycott the matches have gained momentum, mirroring protests during a friendly match against Qatar in May, where activists threw tennis balls onto the pitch inscribed with "Stop the Game."

The FAI contends that avoiding the matches could hinder its chances of qualifying for the 2028 European Championship, which Ireland is co-hosting with Britain. Thus, it maintains that proceeding with the fixtures is crucial to avoid significant repercussions.

The first game will be held in Debrecen, Hungary, while the second, a 'home' match for Ireland, will take place behind closed doors in Bačka Topola, northern Serbia, due to operational challenges cited by the FAI. Since October 2023, Israel has often relocated its home games for security reasons, as UEFA has deemed the country unsafe for hosting international matches. No tickets will be available for Irish fans for either match.