What’s happening between Ireland and Israel?
The Republic of Ireland and Israel met in a UEFA Nations League match on September 27 in Debrecen, Hungary. The game went ahead despite calls to boycott it over Israel's war in Gaza, and the two teams did not shake hands before kick-off.
Written by Roundtablefrom 2 outlets' reporting
01What happened
The Republic of Ireland and Israel were drawn in the same group, Group B3, for the UEFA Nations League 2026-27. They were set to play two matches: Ireland's 'home' leg in Debrecen, Hungary, on September 27 and Israel's 'home' match in Serbia on October 4. The fixture drew controversy because of the Israel-Gaza war. Irish footballers, celebrities and others called for a boycott; the Football Association of Ireland faced pressure to refuse to play. In May, leading Irish footballers joined a campaign by Irish Sport for Palestine. In November, 93 percent of FAI members voted for its leadership to pressure UEFA to suspend Israel. The players voted to fulfil the fixture during a meeting at their hotel in Debrecen. After the vote, goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu withdrew from the squad, saying he felt it 'would be wrong to participate'. Before the match, the teams did not shake hands or exchange pennants. The Irish players wore black armbands.
The facts every outlet at this table agrees on.
02Every voice
One entry per outlet, in the order they should be read. Each links back to the reporting it was drawn from — check any of it.
Al Jazeera English
Read the original· aljazeera.comHow they framed it
The match is a politically charged event that is going ahead despite widespread opposition, with the FAI under pressure to respect a members' vote and calls for a boycott continuing.
In their words
Ireland and Israel are set to play their UEFA Nations League fixtures on September 27 in Debrecen, Hungary, and October 4 in Serbia, despite widespread calls for a boycott. The matches have drawn intense controversy over Israel's war in Gaza, with Irish footballers, celebrities and the Football Association of Ireland under pressure to refuse to play. The FAI has been urged to respect a members' vote demanding it press UEFA to suspend Israel. Last November, 93 percent of FAI members voted for its leadership to pressure UEFA to suspend Israel under those statutes.
BBC News
Read the original· bbc.co.ukHow they framed it
The match is a football fixture that proceeded amid controversy, with the notable detail that the teams did not shake hands and Ireland's players voted to play while one player withdrew.
In their words
Players from the Republic of Ireland and Israel did not shake hands before their Nations League game. After walking on to the pitch at Nagyerdei Stadion, the Republic of Ireland squad stood for their national anthem and appeared to bow their heads before Israel's anthem. Following the anthems, the two teams did not line up for the traditional handshakes. There was also no exchange of pennants between Republic of Ireland captain Dara O'Shea and Israel skipper Manor Solomon, who did not shake hands. The players voted to fulfil the fixture during a lengthy meeting at the team's hotel in Debrecen on Saturday. Later on Saturday, goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu confirmed he had withdrawn from the squad, saying he felt it 'would be wrong to participate'.
03Where they differ
The outlets emphasise different aspects of the event. Al Jazeera English frames the story around the political controversy and the pressure campaign, with detailed background on the calls for a boycott and the FAI members' vote. BBC News focuses on the match itself and the absence of traditional pre-match gestures like handshakes and pennant exchanges, while also noting the players' vote and one player's withdrawal. Al Jazeera English does not report the handshake detail; BBC News does not report the specific 93 percent vote figure or the 'Stop the Game' letter.
Described, not adjudicated. Roundtable does not tell you which account is right.
04Still open
- What were the exact results of the two matches, and did they affect the teams' standings in the group?
- What was the Israeli government's or Israeli football association's response to the boycott calls and the lack of handshakes?
- How did the Football Association of Ireland respond to the members' vote demanding it press UEFA to suspend Israel?
- Will there be any disciplinary consequences from UEFA for the teams not shaking hands or for the black armbands?
- What effect, if any, will the players' vote and Gavin Bazunu's withdrawal have on future Ireland fixtures against Israel?
