Ireland skip training on eve of Israel match as squad splits over boycott

The Republic of Ireland did not turn up for their final training session in Debrecen before Sunday’s Nations League match against Israel, and their press conference was postponed, as the squad failed to reach a common position on playing.

The Republic of Ireland did not turn up for their final training session before Sunday’s UEFA Nations League match against Israel in Debrecen, Hungary, and manager Heimir Hallgrimsson’s press conference was postponed.

The press conference, set for 10.15 a.m. local time, was pushed back to after training just 15 minutes before it was due to start. But the players never arrived for the 11 a.m. session at the Nagyerdei Stadium. According to Irish media, they met with Hallgrimsson and his staff at the team hotel after earlier talks with Football Association of Ireland (FAI) chief executive David Courell.

A statement setting out the players’ position was expected but did not come, reportedly because the squad could not reach a unanimous view. Backup goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu told teammates he did not want to play against Israel, and RTÉ reporter Tony O’Donoghue said some players had decided they did not want to play the games.

Pressure to boycott the two matches has been growing in Ireland, with more than 160 Irish sportspeople signing an open letter. The FAI has resisted, citing possible UEFA sanctions and Ireland’s co-hosting of Euro 2028 with England, Wales and Scotland.

Hallgrimsson said last week, “We’re not playing with genocide, we’re playing against genocide,” prompting Israel’s federation to accuse him of “stupidity, ignorance and hypocrisy.” The sides meet again on October 4 in Backa Topola, Serbia, for Ireland’s “home” game.