Ireland midfielder Finn Azaz has found himself at the center of turmoil within the national team ahead of its Nations League match against Israel on Sunday night, with reports saying the Southampton player addressed teammates during internal discussions over how the squad should approach the game.
Azaz, who has Israeli roots through his mother’s family, reportedly spoke during a team meeting in Pristina on Friday and again at a later meeting in Debrecen, where the match is due to be played.
According to reports in Ireland, Azaz sought to present an Israeli perspective during the discussions. It remains unclear how much his remarks influenced players who were debating whether to take part in the match.
The issue has become one of the main sources of tension within the Irish camp, which has already seen a training session and press conference postponed as players held lengthy internal talks.
Azaz, who plays alongside Israeli goalkeeper Daniel Peretz at English Championship club Southampton, was called up to the Ireland squad for the current Nations League window.
Irish outlet The42 reported that the possibility of Azaz ending his international career after the current window was also raised amid the dispute. There has been no announcement from Azaz himself that he intends to do so.
The controversy has drawn additional attention because of Azaz’s family background.
Plays alongside Daniel Peretz at Southampton
(Photo: Steve Bardens/Getty Images)
His mother comes from an Israeli family, and his maternal grandfather was the late Israeli sculptor Nehemia Azaz. He served in the Jewish Brigade during World War II and later in the Israeli Armored Corps during the 1948 War of Independence.
Born in London, Azaz began his career in West Bromwich Albion’s youth system before joining Aston Villa in 2021, although he did not establish himself in the senior side.
After several loan spells, including a successful period at Plymouth Argyle, he joined Middlesbrough in January 2024 and became one of the club’s standout players, scoring 17 goals and providing 17 assists in 67 league appearances.
In August 2025, he moved to Southampton on a four-year contract in a deal reportedly worth about £15 million, while continuing to establish himself as a regular member of the Ireland national team.