Ireland postpones press conference ahead of Israel match amid boycott calls

Heimir Hallgrimsson’s Republic of Ireland side have pushed back the pre‑match briefing set for Sunday’s UEFA Nations League fixture against Israel, following a surge in calls to boycott the game because of the Gaza conflict, according to BBC reports.

The League match, scheduled to kick off in Debrecen at 19:45 BST, follows a 1‑0 defeat to Kosovo and the squad’s newest team meeting on Friday, where players discussed feelings about facing Israel on home soil and the return game in Serbia.

Irish Sport for Palestine’s “Stop The Game” campaign, which has gained momentum, has urged the Republic not to travel to Budapest and to demand that UEFA cancel the fixtures. Former Republic manager Brian Kerr and ex‑international James McClean have voiced support for a boycott.

Other players have voiced opposition to the boycott, arguing for a match with full attendance, while Jason Knight said the game “should not be going ahead” and winger Chiedozie Ogbene asked supporters not to add “pressure” on the squad. The postponed press conference was moved to the team hotel, with Uefa still unable to confirm a new date.

The debate intensified after the Palestinian group Hamas carried out an attack on 7 October, which prompted a military response from Israel that has resulted in over 73,000 casualties in Gaza, according to the United Nations‑endorsed Hamas‑run health ministry.

With the match still on the calendar, the Republic of Ireland squad, including a key player who may have walked out of the squad, have yet to release a statement, leaving fans and activists scrambling for answers.