Ireland's Nations League game against Israel: Victory with a bland aftertaste

Won the game 3-0, got the first three points - but Ireland's joy was greatly diminished after the politically charged Nations League duel with Israel. “Ireland defeats Israel in a dismal farce that leaves everyone feeling bitter and betrayal,” the Irish Times wrote in a commentary. In view of the surrounding circumstances and protest actions, the newspaper “Irish Independent” also judged: “Points scored, but hardly anything gained.”

During the victory in Debrecen, Hungary, the Irish wore black armbands “to commemorate all those who lost their lives in this conflict,” as it was said before kick-off with a view to the Gaza war. The Irish kept their heads bowed during the Israeli anthem and there were no high-fives before or after the game. Jack Moylan, scorer of the 3-0, took off his armband after his goal and kissed it.

His players “showed their support for the protest” and “raised awareness of the issue,” said Ireland Icelandic national coach Heimir Hallgrimsson. The team had even considered a boycott in the days before the game, but ultimately spoke out against it, with the exception of substitute goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu.

Four years ago, Ireland met Ukraine twice in a week in the Nations League. The games took place four months after the start of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. During these two games, the Irish national players and the Irish Football Association refrained from wearing mourning ribbons in order to commemorate all those who lost their lives in this war.

That's why the duel is so explosive

A boycott against Israel was apparently never an issue for the association. "We said from the beginning that we would play the game. That was decided by our members and the board," said President Paul Cooke of the Irish Football Association FAI to broadcaster RTÉ.

Thanks to “the courage of the players,” the commitments were fulfilled, said Cooke. The players' behavior was "an honor for Ireland, an honor for the nation, an honor for Irish football." The Irish Times takes a more nuanced view: “In this chaos that has developed over seven months, there is not a single scapegoat in the Irish camp to point the finger at.”

The background to the tensions is Israel's role in the Gaza war. In Ireland there had been protests against the duels with Israel since the draw. “There is enormous support for Palestine in Ireland – probably the largest in Europe,” said national coach Hallgrimsson.

Substitute goalkeeper Bazunu could not, with his conscience, agree to be in the squad against Israel. “My decision is based solely on my personal belief that killing innocent people is wrong,” Bazunu wrote in a statement on Instagram. At the same time, he reiterated: “It is important to note that my stance is not directed against the Israeli people or the Jewish community, but against the atrocities in the region.”

The second leg will also take place on neutral ground

The second leg on October 4th will take place in Serbia. Both Nations League games were scheduled on neutral ground. Before that, the Israeli national team meets Kosovo in Debrecen. After the game in Serbia, the team has to play in Kosovo before completing the Nations League preliminary round against Austria again in Debrecen.

On October 7, 2023, fighters from Hamas and other extremist organizations killed around 1,200 people in Israel and kidnapped more than 250 others as hostages to Gaza. The unprecedented attack sparked the Gaza War. Since then, more than 74,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip, according to the Hamas-controlled health authority. There has actually been a ceasefire in the Gaza war since October 2025; But there are always fatal attacks.