Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson has publicly urged UEFA to implement a policy that would keep the Irish national team and Israel apart in future tournament draws. The request comes amid heightened international scrutiny regarding sporting fixtures involving Israel due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

While UEFA has previously separated certain nations in competition draws for security and political reasons—such as keeping Ukraine and Russia apart—Hallgrimsson’s comments highlight the growing pressure on football governing bodies to manage the intersection of international politics and sport. The manager’s stance reflects concerns over potential security risks and the intense public reaction that such matches may generate.

Currently, UEFA has not issued a formal response to Hallgrimsson’s request. The governing body typically assesses such requests on a case-by-case basis, evaluating security intelligence and diplomatic relations before deciding whether to restrict specific matchups. Hallgrimsson’s appeal marks a notable instance of a national team manager taking a public position on the administrative logistics of international tournament scheduling in relation to geopolitical instability.