Ireland match with Israel will be moved to neutral venue

The Republic of Ireland's home UEFA Nations League fixture with Israel will be moved to a neutral venue, the FAI have confirmed.

The match, scheduled for 4 October, will switch from Aviva Stadium to an as yet unconfirmed neutral ground.

The FAI board of directors met on Thursday afternoon to discuss the situation, with particular focus on the game at the Aviva.

Irish football's governing body have confirmed in a statement that UEFA have granted their request.

The statement read: "The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) confirms that UEFA has approved arequest to host the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League fixture between Ireland and Israel on 4 October overseas, in a neutral venue and behind closed doors.

"Following consultation with various stakeholders, the Association is of the viewthat operational challenges could impact on the delivery of the game on homesoil, so the fixture will be played away from the Aviva Stadium."

The FAI also revealed that they reached their decision after consultation with the Palestinian Football Association and reiterated their desire to see Israel suspended from UEFA competitions.

The FAI statement added: "In recent months, the Association has been in communication with the Palestinian Football Association regarding the fulfillment of the fixtures and they have shared the following statement: 'The Palestinian Football Association expresses 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.

'The Palestinian Football Association also affirms its respect for the decision made by the Football Association of Ireland within the framework of its sporting and international obligations, in a manner that enables it to continue fulfilling its noble mission of serving football and promoting the values of justice, solidarity, and mutual respect.'

"The Association is deeply conscious of the suffering and devastation being endured by civilians in Gaza and continues to reflect the sentiment of the motion that was proposed and voted in favour of by members of the FAI General Assembly in November 2025.

"This motion was to issue 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. While the Association submitted that motion to UEFA and has consulted with UEFA officials for almost two years on this issue, it does recognise that the UEFA competition rules and regulations that the Association agreed to.

"These outline that if an association refuses to play a match then that fixture will beforfeited and further disciplinary measures may follow – including potential disqualification from the competition."