Ireland’s soccer match against Qatar was interrupted due to pro-Palestinian protests as pressure mounts for the next game against Israel.
Published May 29, 2026
Republic of Ireland midfielder Jamie McGrath has warned that the controversy surrounding the Nations League game against Israel could intensify after a friendly win against Qatar in Dublin was interrupted by pro-Palestinian protests.
Ireland are scheduled to host Israel at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on October 4, but Israel’s designated home match on September 27 will be played at a neutral venue.
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The match between Qatar and Ireland was part of preparations for this summer’s World Cup, which begins against Switzerland on June 13, but Ireland failed to qualify.
Earlier this month, leading Irish footballers joined celebrities in a campaign calling for a boycott of the match in Israel, but the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) said it would force the match to take place and that refusing to play could lead to disciplinary action.
McGrath expected more protests after Thursday’s friendly was interrupted twice after a tennis ball emblazoned with the Palestinian flag was thrown onto the pitch.
“I’m sure it will heat up even more in the coming months. We (the players) don’t want to be put in a weak position,” he told BBC Northern Ireland after the match.
“This is obviously a unique scenario. People (protesters), we have to listen to them. They have the right to do what they do, as long as it’s done in a peaceful way. That’s all that matters.
“Hopefully the powers above us can work something out or use it for the greater good, but we don’t know how that will play out as the process heats up.
“At the end of the day, we’re football players and you don’t want to get caught up in something like this, but sometimes you have to.”
Last November, 93% of FAI members voted in favor of leaders pressuring UEFA to suspend the Israeli Football Association from European competitions.
On Tuesday, the Irish Palestine Solidarity Campaign held a protest in the Dail.
Ireland coach Heimir Hallgrimsson has also been regularly involved in the discussions, saying ahead of the game against Qatar that his players “must win this war” against Israel in their upcoming matches.
McGrath was asked further questions about the issue before the game whether he believed a solution would be found.
“To be honest, I don’t know,” he replied.
“We’ve obviously been touching on it for a few days now, but I’m sure if things heat up it might slip out of our hands, but we don’t know.”
