Irish taoiseach Micheal Martin said comments by the Israel Football Association about Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson are "unacceptable" and "should be withdrawn". Israel's FA accused Hallgrimsson of "ignorance, hypocrisy and stupidity" over his remark: "We're not playing with genocide, we're playing against genocide."

The teams meet twice in the Nations League, with Israel's 'home' game in Debrecen, Hungary on Sunday, and the return in Backa Topola, Serbia on 4 October. The Israel FA posted on X: "We have contributed to the world and humanity in countless fields... Unfortunately, we have not yet found a cure for stupidity, ignorance and hypocrisy displayed by @Ireland Football team coach."

Martin, in New York for the UN General Assembly, said: "They are unacceptable remarks and should be withdrawn." He cited UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres on the scale of death in Gaza. Calls for a boycott have grown in Ireland, with a protest at the team hotel in Dublin and an open letter signed by over 160 Irish sportspeople.

Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October 2023, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Israel's offensive in Gaza has killed more than 73,000, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Israel denies genocide and says its operations are self-defence.