More than 160 Irish sportspeople have signed an open letter calling on Ireland’s national football team to boycott its upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Israel, the Irish Sport for Palestine Group said Monday.

Ireland are scheduled to face Israel in Hungary on Sept. 27 before playing the return fixture in Serbia on Oct. 4. Both matches will be held at neutral venues and behind closed doors following protests by players and fans over the death toll among Palestinian civilians during the war in Gaza.

According to the Irish Sport for Palestine Group, the signatories include Olympian Ciara Mageean, former Ireland international Louise Quinn, former rugby flyhalf Tony Ward and boxers Tyrone McKenna and Eric Donovan.

"This is a significant moment and with this moment you have an opportunity to do the right thing,” the letter said.

"Not playing the game would be the most sporting thing you could do. Through your leadership and courage, it would show the power of sport to unite, remind us of the shared values that connect us all, and have an impact far beyond the game.”

In May, leading Irish footballers joined celebrities in a campaign urging Ireland to boycott the Nations League matches against Israel.

Ireland has been one of the European Union’s most outspoken critics of Israel’s war in Gaza, and members of the Football Association of Ireland voted overwhelmingly in late 2025 for its board to request that UEFA immediately suspend the Israel Football Association from European competitions.

The FAI later committed to playing the fixtures, citing possible sanctions that could affect the national team and the association.

Ireland coach Heimir Hallgrimsson said last week that he had spoken individually with players about facing Israel and that "none of us feel comfortable playing in these games.”

Reuters has contacted the Israeli Football Association for comment.