Gavin Bazunu quits Ireland squad as Nations League tie looms

Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu announced his withdrawal from the squad on the evening of Saturday, saying he felt "it would be wrong to participate" in the upcoming Nations League fixture against Israel. The decision came after a scheduled training session at the Nagyerdei Stadion in Debrecen was cancelled and a four‑hour debate among the players at their hotel.

Team debate and vote

Players gathered in the team hotel on Saturday to discuss a possible collective boycott. After lengthy deliberation, a majority voted to fulfil the Sunday match, while Bazunu chose to remain absent from training that afternoon.

The Irish Football Association confirmed that the match will go ahead in Debrecen on Sunday evening, despite the internal split.

Ticketing and stadium details

The Israel Football Association reported that only 150 tickets have been sold to its supporters, with a further 100 complimentary tickets allocated to journalists and officials. The Nagyerdei Stadion holds 20,340 spectators, meaning the venue is expected to be largely empty.

Gavin Bazunu quits the training camp: Ireland decides to play Israel in Debrecen

Secondary market listings on Ticombo showed 56 tickets advertised on Saturday evening, priced from around €240 each.

Both teams are expected to wear black armbands on the pitch, a gesture announced by FAI chief David Courell to honour lives lost in the conflict. The players and the FAI will also make a significant charitable donation.

In his Instagram statement, Bazunu stressed his respect for teammates, the manager and the Irish people, adding that his stance is not against the Israeli people or the Jewish community but against the atrocities in the region. "Representing my country means everything to me," he wrote, "but I am a man of strong faith and principle, therefore I feel it would be wrong to participate in the upcoming fixtures against Israel."

Irish goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu refuses to play against Israel

Manager Heimir Hallgrimsson acknowledged the difficulty of the situation, noting that further discussions may continue after the match. He reiterated that the team will play because the fixture is part of the competition’s regulations, not because they endorse the situation in Gaza.