European football’s governing body UEFA has rejected a formal request by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) to keep the Republic of Ireland national football team separated from Israel in future competition draws. FAI Chief Executive David Courell confirmed UEFA's decision during a media briefing on Friday ahead of the upcoming international window.

The FAI raised the query with UEFA following the Nations League draw in February, which placed the Republic of Ireland in League B, Group 3 alongside Israel, Austria, and Kosovo. The draw triggered significant public debate and activist calls in Ireland for a boycott or future draw restrictions due to the military campaign and humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Courell stated that UEFA turned down the request, explaining that protected draw mechanisms—which currently keep nations apart, such as Ukraine and Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, or Kosovo and Serbia—are restricted strictly to countries in direct military conflict or those that do not recognize each other's independence. According to Courell, UEFA informed the FAI that draw exclusions are not determined by public sentiment and pointed out that Ireland and Israel have no history of direct military conflict.

Addressing reporters, Courell said UEFA's response was unambiguous and that he accepted the position at face value, while acknowledging the strong feelings of Irish football supporters and civil society regarding the ongoing devastation in Gaza.

The FAI chief executive also clarified that UEFA had not threatened to strip Ireland of its co-hosting duties for Euro 2028 had the national team boycotted the fixtures. FAI general assembly members voted by a 68 percent majority in July to proceed with the games after the board outlined potential direct financial losses of approximately €5.5 million and severe sporting penalties. Both Nations League matches will take place at neutral venues, with Israel's home fixture hosted in Debrecen, Hungary, on September 27, and Ireland's designated home fixture taking place behind closed doors in Bačka Topola, Serbia, on October 4.