UEFA says security, not politics, guides draw decisions after rejecting Ireland's request to avoid Israel
UEFA stated that draw decisions are made case-by-case based on security risks, after the Irish FA's request to be separated from Israel was denied.
UEFA response to Ireland’s request
UEFA released a statement indicating that decisions to keep national teams apart in competition draws are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and are primarily guided by security considerations. The governing body said it monitors all facts and developments before reaching a decision.
Irish FA request and UEFA’s reply
The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) asked UEFA to separate the Republic of Ireland and Israel in future draws after the two were paired in the February Nations League draw. The teams are scheduled to meet in the competition on September 27 and October 4. According to the FAI chief executive, UEFA informed the association that the request could not be accommodated because Ireland and Israel have never been in direct conflict.
Israeli federation’s reaction
The Israel Football Association (IFA) responded by asking whether an official request had actually been submitted to UEFA, suggesting the matter might be a statement rather than a formal inquiry. The IFA’s communications head emphasized the focus on professional preparations for upcoming matches.
Context of the fixtures
The scheduled matches have drawn controversy in Ireland amid the broader Middle-East conflict. In November, the FAI board voted overwhelmingly to ask UEFA to suspend the IFA from European competitions. In May, Irish players and public figures joined a campaign calling for a boycott of the home Nations League fixture. The designated home match on October 4 is set to be played behind closed doors in Serbia rather than Dublin, and Irish fans will not receive tickets for Israel’s home fixture in Hungary the previous weekend.
Unresolved issues
It remains unclear whether UEFA received a formal written request from the FAI and what specific security assessments were undertaken. Both federations have expressed differing views on the necessity and feasibility of separating the teams in future draws.
Source & attribution
This report is based on www.aljazeera.com's original reporting published 19 Sept 2026. Claims attributed to officials or parties to a conflict have not been independently verified by TotalWar.live.
Editorial standards and correctionsRelated coverage
Ukrainian national attacks clergy and worshippers at Polish abbey, one dead
A 31-year-old Ukrainian man stabbed five people at a Benedictine abbey in Jaroslaw, Poland, killing a priest and wounding four others; motive remains unclear.
UN report says Gaza needs $71.5 bn for recovery amid severe economic crisis
A UN trade body estimates Gaza's reconstruction and economic losses at $71.5 bn, citing widespread destruction and unemployment.
Iran accuses United States and Israel of double standards in international law
Iran's president Masoud Pezeshkian claims the US and Israel impose sanctions on Tehran while ignoring Israel's nuclear arsenal and Gaza actions.