The Republic of Ireland will play Israel in Bačka Topola in Serbia as their neutral venue in the upcoming Uefa Nations League fixture on Sunday, October 4th.The Football Association of Ireland said this follows “a decision taken by the FAI board to move the fixture to a neutral territory due to operational challenges that could impact on the delivery of the game on home soil”.The change of venue has been approved by Uefa and the game will be played in the 4,500-seater TSC Arena behind-closed-doors, with the kick-off time to be confirmed in due course.The first encounter with Israel will take place at the Nagyerdei Stadion in Debrecen, Hungary, on Sunday, September 27th.As a result of the change of venue for the Israel fixture, the FAI will update its 2026 season ticket holders and Club Ireland members regarding compensation owed, it said.The FAI remains committed to fulfilling the fixture, in spite of a strong protest movement calling for a boycott, emphasising in a statement on Friday that it will play the game out of its responsibility to protect the interests of Irish football.Failure to play the game, says the FAI, would result in the forfeiture of six points, which could lead to the relegation to League C of the Nations League, and would conversely improve Israel’s chances of promotion and qualifying for Euro 2028, to be co-hosted in Dublin. Beyond that, the FAI says there would be broader implications, including a risk to the delivery of services such as “safeguarding, educational programmes, and player development opportunities”.Opposition parties demanded the Government step in to seek to stop the two matches the Republic is due to play against Israel due to the war in Gaza and Israel’s illegal settlements on Palestinian land earlier this month.Sinn Féin tabled a Dáil motion earlier this week calling on the Government to support a boycott of the games, while the Social Democrats called for Israel’s exclusion from all international sporting fixtures.Both motions were defeated with the Government insisting in Dáil countermotions that the issue was a matter solely for the FAI.2026-27 Uefa Nations League FixturesThursday, September 24th: Kosovo v Ireland, Stadiumi Fadil Vokrri, Pristina, 7.45pmSunday, September 27th: Israel v Ireland, Nagyerdei Stadion, Debrecen (Hungary), 7.45pmThursday, October 1st: Ireland v Austria, Aviva Stadium, Dublin, 7.45pmSunday, October 4th: Ireland v Israel, TSC Arena, Bačka Topola (Serbia), TBCSaturday, November 14th: Austria v Ireland, Raiffeisen Arena, Linz, 7.45pmTuesday, November 17th: Ireland v Kosovo, Aviva Stadium, Dublin, 7.45pm