Finn Azaz confirms Ireland commitment after difficult Nations League window

Finn Azaz has confirmed that he will continue representing the Republic of Ireland, addressing uncertainty over his international future after a difficult Nations League window. BBC Sport reported on Wednesday that the Southampton forward told BBC Radio Solent he intended to carry on. The 26-year-old has made 16 appearances for Ireland since his debut in 2024.

Watch the highlights:

Azaz was an unused substitute in both recent matches against Israel. RTÉ reported that Ireland won the first meeting 3-0 in Debrecen, Hungary, before drawing 1-1 in Backa Topola, Serbia. His absence from those games came either side of a full 90-minute appearance against Austria, rather than an absence from the international squad itself.

Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson had explained after the second Israel match that the wider circumstances had been particularly difficult for Azaz, whose mother's family is Israeli. According to RTÉ's coverage of that press conference, the manager said their conversations had led him to conclude that leaving the player out was preferable to asking him to play.

Hallgrimsson also distinguished his own confidence about Azaz's future from a direct conversation about retirement. RTÉ reported that he had not asked the player whether he intended to quit, but saw no indication that he would. The manager pointed to Azaz's presence with the squad as evidence of his commitment and spoke of his desire to remain involved through Euro 2028.

The fixtures took place amid calls for Ireland not to play Israel because of the Israel-Gaza war. BBC Sport reported that the Football Association of Ireland went ahead with the matches at neutral venues. Ireland's players wore black armbands and lowered their heads during Israel's anthem. Hallgrimsson told RTÉ that those gestures had been especially difficult for Azaz.

At club level, Azaz also used his BBC Radio Solent interview to call for further improvement from Southampton as they pursue promotion to the Premier League. He said the team had started well but still had room to develop. Rather than treating their current performances as sufficient, he urged the group to keep raising its standards.