Irish athletes’ group urges national team to boycott Israel fixtures

More than 160 Irish sportspeople have signed an open letter asking the Ireland national ​football team to boycott their upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures ‌against Israel, the Irish Sport for Palestine ​Group said on Monday (September 2026).

Ireland are due to ⁠play Israel on September 27 in Hungary before the reverse fixture in Serbia on October 4. Both matches are ‌set to be staged at neutral venues and behind closed doors after protests by ‌players and fans over the death toll of ‌Palestinian ⁠civilians during the war in Gaza.

Irish Sport ⁠for Palestine said the signatories included Olympian Ciara Mageean, former footballer Louise Quinn, former rugby flyhalf Tony Ward and boxers Tyrone ​McKenna and Eric Donovan.

"This ‌is a significant moment and with this moment you have an opportunity to do the right thing," the letter said.