The Republic of Ireland have been drawn in the same Uefa Nations League group as Israel. Photograph: Sam Barnes/SportsfileThe Republic of Ireland soccer team’s upcoming matches against Israel should go ahead and it should be possible for one of the games to be played in Ireland, according to Minister of State Timmy Dooley. However, Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless said it makes “more sense” for the game to be played in a neutral venue. The FAI said it would fulfil the fixture but has not said whether it would be played in Dublin or at a neutral venue. I think the suggestion is now that [it is] played in a neutral venue, I think that makes more sense.

Source: The Irish Times February 16, 2026 14:50 UTC