Dates for Ireland's Nations League fixtures revealed

The Republic of Ireland will begin their Nations League campaign with away fixtures against Kosovo and Israel in September.

Ireland have been drawn against Kosovo, Israel and Austria and in Group B3.

First up for the Boys in Green, is an away trip to Kosovo on Thursday, 24 September.

The national team then face Israel for the second fixture of an away double-header on Sunday, 27 September. However, this fixture is highly unlikely to take place in Israel if the war in Gaza is ongoing, with the team playing their recent home games in Budapest.

On Thursday, 1 October, Ireland host Austria in Dublin, with Israel scheduled to play at Aviva Stadium on Sunday, 4 October.

The group stage concludes with fixtures against Austria away from home on Saturday, 14 November and a home tie against Kosovo on Tuesday, 17 November.

Each of Ireland's Nations League encounters take place at 7.45pm Irish time.

The prospect of facing Israel has already generated much controversy, and the Football Association of Ireland and international boss Heimir Hallgrimsson have called for the country to be banned from international competition due to the war in Gaza.

However, following Thursday's draw, the FAI indicated that the national team would fulfill both fixtures against Israel.

The governing body said in a statement: "The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) confirms that the Ireland men's national team will fulfil their 2026 UEFA Nations League fixtures against Israel after being drawn together in Group B3.

"In 2025, a motion was proposed by members of the FAI General Assembly to vote on issuing a formal request to the UEFA Executive Committee for the immediate suspension of the Israel Football Association from UEFA competitions for a breach of UEFA statutes.

"Members then voted in favour to submit the motion to UEFA, which the association did in November 2025.

"While consultation has taken place with UEFA officials, the association does recognise that UEFA regulations outline that if an association refuses to play a match then that fixture will be forfeited and further disciplinary measures may follow – including potential disqualification from the competition."

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