![Israel and Ireland met in Hungary the previous week, in a game which went ahead after the Irish squad held a vote following goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu's withdrawal from the contentious fixtures between the sides. [Getty]](/sites/default/files/styles/image_156x88/public/2296917730.jpeg?h=c35c3a13&itok=1JHOM7OT)
![General view of the Alinma Stadium on September 2026 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. [Getty]](/sites/default/files/styles/image_156x88/public/2293692593.jpeg?h=199d8c1f&itok=7F8BeqHa)
UAE supporters have provided an early taste of Gulf Cup final fever, snapping up seats on six charter flights to Jeddah in less than 10 minutes.
An Israeli journalist claimed that Ireland's football team had called their Israeli counterparts 'monkeys', which led to the swift end of the press conference.
Doha Asian Games organisers "are ready" if the continent's premier sporting event is moved back a year to 2031 in a major shake-up to the calendar.
![TFF [Getty]](/sites/default/files/styles/image_156x88/public/1037652682.jpeg?h=a5f2f23a&itok=MHcyroqg)
The announcement came a day after the justice minister announced the arrest of the head of Turkey's football refereeing body and six other people.
Egypt were held to a goalless draw by Angola at Cairo International Stadium on Friday in their opening qualifier.
Ireland beat Israel 3-0 in a tense Nations League clash as players wore black armbands in solidarity with Gaza.
![Fans hold up a banner saying "Stop the Game" referring to the Israel-Ireland fixture at a match between Bohemians and Drogheda United in Dublin [Getty]](/sites/default/files/styles/image_156x88/public/2026-09/GettyImages-2295317370.jpg?h=85e56ae9&itok=9lTTbR--)
Ireland will face Israel after a player revolt, with Gavin Bazunu withdrawing and the squad voting on whether to boycott the controversial game
Ireland’s football squad voted by a majority to play its Nations League fixtures against Israel despite unease over the Gaza war, though one player withdrew
Ireland cancelled its press conference and delayed training in Hungary ahead of Sunday’s Nations League match against Israel, amid protests over the fixture
The Abu Dhabi-owned club has been found guilty of all but one of 115 Premier League charges for breaching financial regulations, according to reports on Friday