​Ireland will move forward with its UEFA Nations League match against Israel after a majority of players indicated they wanted the game to be played.Reports on Saturday stated that several Ireland players were considering pulling out of the match, which is set for Debrecen, Hungary on Sunday, Sept. 27.The team’s news conference and training on Saturday were delayed amid reports that goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu had informed his teammates that he would not play in the match.The Football Association of Ireland released a statement later Saturday confirming that the game would go forward as planned.”The Football Association of Ireland confirms that the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League fixtures against Israel will be fulfilled,” the statement read.”The Association made this decision following consultation with the Republic of Ireland players who shared different views and a majority expressed that the fixtures should be played.”The Association respects the views of all players involved and appreciates the level of sensitivity concerning these fixtures.”The lead-up to the match had already proven controversial after Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson said “we’re playing against genocide” following his squad announcement earlier this month.Israel’s FA issued a furious response, accusing the Icelandic coach of “stupidity, ignorance and hypocrisy.”On Saturday, Hallgrimsson was asked at the delayed news conference if he regretted using the word genocide in his remarks.”I used a strong word definitely and the wrong word for me to use,” he said.”There is a huge support in Europe, with the biggest support in Ireland, for Palestine. There is pressure in Ireland and protests to not play this fixture. I felt that pressure growing day by day and it is almost getting to a breaking limit now.”By playing we are not accepting or supporting what is happening in Gaza.”Hallgrimsson confirmed that one of his players had pulled out of the match. Though he did not name the player, reports from Ireland said it was Bazunu, who was not with his teammates during training on Saturday.”This morning was just a change of mind for one of the players,” Hallgrimsson said.Ireland and Israel are also due to meet Oct. 4 in a match behind closed doors in Bačka Topola, Serbia.The Football Association of Ireland requested the home match be played in a “neutral venue and behind closed doors” owing to the “operational challenges” of playing Israel on home soil.This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ireland players vote to play Israel amid boycott threats