Republic of Ireland women's national team manager Carla Ward stated she would support her players if they held concerns about facing Israel. Ward's comments follow the men's team being drawn against Israel in the 2026-2027 UEFA Nations League.
The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) had previously voted to seek Israel's suspension from UEFA competitions due to alleged statute breaches. However, the FAI confirmed it would fulfil the fixtures to avoid forfeiture and disqualification.
The men's team is scheduled to play Israel in an away leg on September 27 and a home fixture on October 4. Ward described the overall situation as "devastating" but maintained her role focuses on football. She reiterated her commitment to supporting her players should the women's team face a similar scenario. FAI Chief Executive David Courell is expected to address the media regarding the matter.
