Seamus Coleman omitted from Republic of Ireland Nations League squad
Seamus Coleman has not been included in the Republic of Ireland squad for the forthcoming Nations League matches against Kosovo, Israel and Austria, manager Heimir Hallgrimsson announced on Thursday. The 37-year-old has been without a club since ending a 17-year association with Everton at the end of the 2025-26 season, having made 433 appearances for the Toffees.
Coleman, who has 81 caps, featured in Ireland’s international friendlies in June but was left out of the 26-strong group named for the four-match window. The Republic of Ireland will travel to face Kosovo on 24 September, then play Israel on 27 September, Austria on 1 October and a second fixture against Israel on 4 October.
“It is my intention in whatever shape or form that he [Coleman] would be with us in the future, hopefully as a player,” said Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson at the announcement of his squad on Thursday. “His intention is to play, he's keeping fit but he hasn't been training with a club so we felt together, and it was more his decision, that it would be appropriate he sit out this one, mostly because he thought it was unfair to other players that he would be taking up a place.”
Robbie Brady was also omitted because he is without a club, while captain Nathan Collins is missing through injury. Collins is recovering from a calf injury sustained in Brentford's 1-1 Premier League draw with Sunderland on 5 September.
Several other players were not considered because of injury: Evan Ferguson (ankle), Josh Cullen (knee), Jack Taylor (knee), Mikey Johnston (ankle) and Oisin McEntee. QPR defender Jimmy Dunne also sustained a muscular injury earlier this month.
Sheffield United loanee Liam Kitching received his first senior call-up, with uncapped Cardiff City defender Joel Bagan and Owen Elding of Sligo Rovers also in contention for their first caps during the international window. Left-sided centre-back Kitching is on a season-long loan from Coventry City.
The 26-player squad named by Hallgrimsson is: Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher, Max O'Leary, Gavin Bazanu. Defenders: Dara O'Shea, Jake O'Brien, Liam Scales, John Egan, James Abankwah, Jimmy Dunne, Liam Kitching, Ryan Manning, Joel Bagan. Midfielders: Jayson Molumby, Jason Knight, Finn Azaz, Bosun Lawal, Jamie McGrath, Harvey Vale, Conor Coventry. Forwards: Troy Parrott, Adam Idah, Chiedozie Ogbene, Tom Cannon, Owen Elding, Jack Moylan, Rocco Vata.
Ireland begin their Group B3 Nations League schedule with the trip to Kosovo on 24 September, followed by fixtures against Israel (27 September), Austria (1 October) and a return meeting with Israel on 4 October.