How much will moving Ireland v Israel to neutral venue will cost FAI?
UEFA, European football's governing body, has approved the Football Association of Ireland's (FAI) decision to hold Ireland's men's team's upcoming Nations League match against Israel at a neutral venue overseas behind closed doors.
There have been widespread calls for the Irish team to boycott the match in light of the war in Gaza, in which more than 80,000 Palestinians have been killed.
Some supporters at Ireland's recent friendly against Qatar at the Aviva Stadium threw tennis balls onto the pitch in protest against the planned Israel match.
In a statement announcing UEFA's approval for moving the match, the FAI said that "operational challenges" could have impacted on the delivery of the game on home soil.
"The Association thanks An Garda Síochana for their support and advice over recent months and states that the decision to relocate to a neutral venue is one that has been considered an appropriate course of action by the FAI Board with the support of UEFA," it continued.
"The Association understands and respects the views expressed by players and staff, supporters, its members, campaigners, members of the public and the Irish footballing community in relation to this fixture."
The FAI said it was "deeply conscious of the suffering and devastation being endured by the civilians of Gaza."
Israel was excluded from the Asian Football Confederation in 1974 and joined UEFA in 1991 following a period of exile.
The FAI general assembly voted in November 2025 to formally request that Israel be suspended from UEFA competitions.
"While the Association submitted that motion to UEFA and has consulted with UEFA officials for almost two years on this issue, it does recognise that the UEFA competition rules and regulations that the Association agreed to," the FAI said.
"These 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."
If the FAI had decided to boycott the two Nations League matches against Israel, Ireland would have forfeited six points, putting the team at risk of relegation to a lower level of the competition.
The FAI added that a boycott would have also negatively affected Ireland's UEFA and FIFA rankings and reduced the team's chances of qualifying for major tournaments.
It also said that the reverse was true for Israel, whose chances of Nations League promotion and Euro 2028 qualification would be enhanced by a boycott.
In moving the match to a neutral venue overseas, the FAI is foregoing millions in revenue from ticket sales.
In its statement, the FAI acknowledged the change of venue would negatively impact Ireland's season ticket holders and members of Club Ireland.
Premium season ticket holders pay up to €5,000 for a 10-year membership.
Tickets for the upcoming Nations League campaign, during which Ireland will also play Austria and Kosovo, are not currently on sale.
The Aviva Stadium has a capacity of 51,700, and there are more than 21,000 season ticket holders, prices for which range from €90 for children to €400, although there are €500 and €1,000 family options too.
FAI has opted to move Ireland's Nations League match against Israel away from the Aviva Stadium with UEFA's blessing. (Pic: Michael Steele/Getty Images)
During the last Nations League, tickets for the match against England at the Aviva Stadium were available from €90 excluding fees, although prices can vary depending on the opponent.
Assuming full attendance at €90 per head and accounting for season ticket holders, the FAI would lose out on a minimum of €2.7m in revenue from lost ticket sales with the relocation of the Israel match.
Photo: Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal collides with Nathan Collins of Republic of Ireland during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Republic of Ireland and Portugal at Aviva Stadium on November 13, 2025 in Dublin, Ireland. (Pic: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
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