Ireland press conference delayed amid calls to boycott Israel matches
9 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 26, 2026, 1:38 PM
Last updated Sep 26, 2026
The Ireland soccer team's press conference before their Nations League games against Israel has been postponed due to growing pressure to boycott. The event, set for Debrecen, Hungary, was delayed until after training, with players reportedly still at their hotel when it was scheduled to begin. Calls for a boycott stem from strong sentiments in Ireland supporting Palestinians, especially ahead of the first match on September 27 and a second game on October 4 in Serbia. Ireland midfielder Jason Knight voiced concerns over the matches proceeding, while coach Heimir Hallgrimsson defended the team's decision to play. More than 160 Irish sports figures have signed an open letter urging reconsideration of the fixtures.
- •Press conference delayed until after training session
- •Ireland faces Israel in Nations League on September 27
- •Calls for boycott linked to solidarity with Palestinians
- •Ireland's next match scheduled for October 4 in Serbia
- •Over 160 Irish sportspeople signed letter urging boycott
- 1:38 PMYahoo Sports — Republic of Ireland confirm Israel game will go ahead
- 1:38 PMBBC Sport — Republic of Ireland confirm Israel game will go ahead
- 11:48 AMYahoo Sports — Pressure to boycott Israel game grows as Ireland preparations stall
- 11:07 AMYahoo Sports — Republic of Ireland news conference delayed before controversial Israel game
- 10:44 AMBBC Sport — Republic of Ireland news conference delayed before controversial Israel game
- 10:29 AMYahoo Sports — Republic of Ireland press conference and training delayed ahead of controversial Israel clash
- 10:03 AMYahoo Sports — Ireland press conference before Israel games delayed as pressure to boycott grows
"The Ireland team’s press conference the day before the first of its Nations League games against Israel has been delayed as pressure to boycott the matches grows. Journalists in Debrecen, Hungary — where Israel’s “home” game is to be played Sunday — were left waiting Saturday after being told the press conference was being pushed back until after training. The team has been coming under increasing pressure in Ireland, where affinity with Palestinians is strong, to boycott the two games — the first on Sunday and the second, Ireland’s “home” game, in Backa Topola, Serbia on Oct. 4.
"The Republic of Ireland delay the pre-match news conference planned for Sunday's Uefa Nations League game against Israel in Hungary - a fixture campaigners have called on them to boycott.
"The Republic of Ireland delay the pre-match news conference planned for Sunday's Uefa Nations League game against Israel in Hungary - a fixture campaigners have called on them to boycott.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 26, 2026, 1:38 PMRepublic of Ireland confirm Israel game will go ahead
The Republic of Ireland have confirmed Sunday's Uefa Nations League B3 game in Debrecen, Hungary will go ahead.
- BBC SportSep 26, 2026, 1:38 PMRepublic of Ireland confirm Israel game will go ahead
The Republic of Ireland have confirmed Sunday's Uefa Nations League B3 game against Israel in Debrecen, Hungary will go ahead.
- Yahoo SportsSep 26, 2026, 11:48 AMPressure to boycott Israel game grows as Ireland preparations stall
Ireland are due to play Israel in the Nations League in Hungary on Sunday, but boycott pressure mounts on and off-field.
- Yahoo SportsSep 26, 2026, 11:07 AMRepublic of Ireland news conference delayed before controversial Israel game
The Republic of Ireland delay the pre-match news conference planned for Sunday's Uefa Nations League game against Israel in Hungary - a fixture campaigners have called on them to boycott.
- BBC SportSep 26, 2026, 10:44 AMRepublic of Ireland news conference delayed before controversial Israel game
The Republic of Ireland delay the pre-match news conference planned for Sunday's Uefa Nations League game against Israel in Hungary - a fixture campaigners have called on them to boycott.
- Yahoo SportsSep 26, 2026, 10:29 AMRepublic of Ireland press conference and training delayed ahead of controversial Israel clash
Republic of Ireland are due to face Israel in Hungary on Sunday
- Yahoo SportsSep 26, 2026, 10:03 AMIreland press conference before Israel games delayed as pressure to boycott grows
The Ireland team’s press conference the day before the first of its Nations League games against Israel has been delayed as pressure to boycott the matches grows. Journalists in Debrecen, Hungary — where Israel’s “home” game is to be played Sunday — were left waiting Saturday after being told the press conference was being pushed back until after training. The team has been coming under increasing pressure in Ireland, where affinity with Palestinians is strong, to boycott the two games — the first on Sunday and the second, Ireland’s “home” game, in Backa Topola, Serbia on Oct. 4.
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