Ireland and Northern Ireland Nations League preparations

The Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland are preparing for upcoming UEFA Nations League campaigns under revised tournament structures. In Northern Ireland, manager Michael O’Neill named a 28-man squad for matches against Georgia, Hungary, and Ukraine, while addressing player eligibility controversies and injuries to key personnel.

For the Republic of Ireland, head coach Heimir Hallgrímsson has named a 26-man squad for the campaign. The selection includes 18-year-old Rory Finneran and Owen Elding, who earned a call-up following his acquisition of Irish citizenship. Notable absences include Seamus Coleman, Robbie Brady, and the injured Nathan Collins.

The squad has addressed internal discomfort regarding scheduled fixtures against Israel, which are set to take place in Debrecen, Hungary, and Bačka Topola, Serbia. Hallgrímsson confirmed he held individual conversations with players, noting that while “none of us feel comfortable playing these games,” the team remains united in their commitment to perform.

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) previously requested that UEFA separate the two nations in the draw, but the request was rejected. This follows a motion by FAI members to ban Israel from international competition, citing alleged violations of UEFA statutes. Consequently, national broadcaster RTÉ has announced it will provide minimal coverage for these specific matches, fulfilling contractual obligations without studio build-ups, pundits, or in-house commentary, and has declined all advertising or sponsorship linked to the games.