Football Association of Ireland issue statement after being drawn in the Nations League against Israel

The nations were drawn against each other on Thursday

As part of the draw ceremony, Ireland were drawn against Israel, Austria and Kosovo in Group B3 of the tournament.

The selection comes months after the association for Irish football had called on Europe's governing football body (UEFA) to ban Israel from sporting competitions, in relation to the Israel-Gaza conflict.

In a statement, first reported on by the BBC, the Football Association of Ireland confirmed they would play the fixtures, citing fears they would lose their place in the competition as the reason.

It reads: "In 2025, a motion was proposed by members of the FAI General Assembly to vote on issuing 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.

"Members then voted in favour to submit the motion to UEFA, which the Association did in November 2025.

"While consultation has taken place with Uefa officials, the Association does recognise that Uefa regulations outline that if an association refuses to play a match then that fixture will be forfeited and further disciplinary measures may follow – including potential disqualification from the competition."

The exact dates of those proposed fixtures are yet to be announced by UEFA, and the tournament is expected to commence in the Autumn.