Israel's head coach Ran Ben Simon speaks during a press conference after the UEFA Nations League football match between Israel and Ireland in Debrecen, Hungary, on September 27, 2026. The fixture has attracted heightened attention amid recent diplomatic and public tensions between Israel and Ireland. Ireland's participation was still in doubt on September 26, after some players discussed a possible boycott of the match on political and conscience grounds. (Photo by Attila KISBENEDEK / AFP via Getty Images)