According to French media outlet Foot Mercato, the Israeli national team will wear black armbands when they face Ireland this Sunday evening in a qualifier held at a neutral venue in Serbia.

The Israel Football Association stated: "UEFA has approved the request from the Israel Football Association, allowing the national team to wear black armbands in memory of the victims of October 7, 2023." The gesture comes three days before the anniversary of the Hamas attacks on Israel, which according to official figures resulted in 1,221 deaths.

This follows the first leg one week earlier, in which Ireland won 3-0 in Hungary. During that match, Irish players also wore black armbands to protest the war in Gaza. Both matches have been played under tense circumstances: in the first leg, Irish players bowed their heads during the Israeli national anthem, and the captains did not shake hands or exchange pennants. The match was interrupted twice, and Ireland head coach Hallgrímsson's press conference was cut short on Saturday due to renewed tensions.

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