Seamus Coleman Omitted from Republic of Ireland Squad for Nations League
Seamus Coleman has been left out of the Republic of Ireland squad for the upcoming Nations League window, a notable omission for a player who has been at the heart of the national side for more than a decade.
The 37-year-old, without a club since bringing a 17-year Everton career to an end at the close of the 2025-26 season, misses out on the 26-man group named for four games in Group B3 against Kosovo, Israel and Austria.
Coleman, capped 81 times and a former Ireland captain, was involved in June’s international friendlies and had not formally drawn a line under his international career. This time, though, his name is not on the list.
Upcoming Fixtures
Ireland face Kosovo away on 24 September, then travel to Israel on 27 September before hosting Austria on 1 October. A second meeting with Israel follows on 4 October to round off a demanding block of fixtures.
Speaking as he announced his squad on Thursday, Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson underlined that Coleman remains in his plans.
"It is my intention in whatever shape or form that he [Coleman] would be with us in the future, hopefully as a player," Hallgrimsson said, making it clear the door is not closed.
Coleman has been training to stay in shape but, crucially, has not been working with a club. That lack of competitive rhythm weighed heavily in the discussions.
"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," Hallgrimsson explained.
The veteran full-back is not the only experienced figure missing. Robbie Brady is also absent as he, too, is currently unattached.
Captain Nathan Collins is sidelined with a calf injury sustained in Brentford's 1-1 Premier League draw with Sunderland on 5 September, stripping Ireland of their defensive leader at a key moment in the campaign.
The injury list runs deeper. Evan Ferguson (ankle), Josh Cullen (knee), Jack Taylor (knee), Mikey Johnston (ankle) and Oisin McEntee are all unavailable, while QPR defender Jimmy Dunne picked up a muscular injury earlier this month and also misses out.
The gaps have forced Hallgrimsson to turn to fresh faces.
Sheffield United loanee Liam Kitching earns a first senior call-up, rewarded for his form while on a season-long loan from Coventry City. The left-sided centre-back adds balance and aggression to a back line stripped of experience.
Cardiff City defender Joel Bagan and Sligo Rovers’ Owen Elding are also included and could make their international debuts during this four-game stretch, as Ireland lean on emerging options to navigate a congested and testing window.
With Coleman watching from the outside and a string of regulars in the treatment room, this Nations League run will test the depth of Hallgrimsson’s squad — and perhaps accelerate the handover to a new generation.
