UEFA denied the Irish FA’s request to avoid playing Israel, saying draw decisions are case‑by‑case and based on security, noting the nations have never been in direct conflict.
UEFA said that decisions on whether national teams are kept apart in competition draws are made on a case‑by‑case basis and are guided primarily by security considerations and structural risks between the two countries. The governing body stated it handles each situation carefully on its own merits and monitors all facts and developments.
Football Association of Ireland chief executive David Courell said the FAI had asked UEFA to separate the Republic of Ireland and Israel after they were paired in the February Nations League draw, but was informed the request could not be accommodated because the two nations have never been in direct conflict. Israel Football Association communications head Shlomi Barzel questioned whether an official request had actually been made to UEFA.
The fixtures have been controversial in Ireland amid the Middle‑East conflict. In November, FAI members voted overwhelmingly for the board to request UEFA suspend the Israel FA, and in May leading Irish footballers and celebrities launched a boycott campaign of the home Nations League match. The designated home match on 4 October will be played behind closed doors in Backa Topola, Serbia, and Irish fans will not receive tickets for Israel’s home fixture in Debrecen, Hungary.
The available reporting is limited to the statements from UEFA, the FAI and the IFA, without further detail on the criteria used for the decision.