Hungary has been deemed a suitable host nation for Israel matches because the two nations enjoy stronger diplomatic ties than those between Israel and many other European nations, and it has been willing to provide the necessary policing and security arrangements for matches to operate smoothly.
The FAI decided in the summer to play its ‘home’ fixture against Israel at a neutral stadium, citing “operational challenges that could impact on the delivery of the game on home soil”.
Reports have claimed the FAI was concerned protests could prevent the match from taking place in Dublin.
The FAI gave no official reason for the selection of Backa Topola, but choosing a venue in Serbia – in a town so remote – in theory renders security management easier and reduces the possibility of protest.
In 2025, Serbian foreign minister Marko Duric described Israel as one of Serbia’s “closest friends and strategic partners”. Serbia has also purchased military equipment, including drones and missiles, from Israel in recent years.
The decision to play in neutral stadiums has not curtailed opposition.
Fans of various Irish clubs have demonstrated against the matches during domestic fixtures in recent weeks, and on Monday more than 160 Irish athletes signed an open letter by the Irish Sport for Palestine group urging a boycott. The signatories include boxer Tyrone McKenna and former European champion athlete Ciara Mageean.
FAI CEO David Courrell said last week Uefa had rejected a request for the teams to be kept apart in future draws, director of football John Martin described the games as a “very uncomfortable situation for everyone”. Manager Heimer Hallgrimsson, meanwhile, said playing the match did not constitute legitimisation of Israel’s “genocide”.
“We’re not playing with genocide, we’re playing against genocide,” Hallgrimmson said. “We’re playing against Israel, we’re not playing with Israel.”
In response, the Israel Football Association accused Hallgrimsson of “ignorance, hypocrisy and stupidity”.
The Republic of Ireland faced Israel in Women’s EuroBasket qualifiers last autumn and earlier this year after “extensive deliberations”.