There is reportedly growing concern surrounding Finn Azaz’s international future in the wake of the turmoil surrounding Ireland’s fixtures with Israel.

According to reporting by The 42, it has been suggested that the FAI believe midfielder Finn Azaz may step away from international football after this window, given his personal connection to the story.

Azaz is one of the more poignant figures caught up in a saga that has divided the Irish camp. The Southampton midfielder qualifies to play for Ireland through his father, who is from Cork, but also qualifies for Israel through his mother, whose family are Israeli.

Having chosen Ireland, Azaz now finds himself in the extraordinary position of preparing to face the country of half his family, in a fixture that has become the most contentious in recent Irish football history.

It is a connection he has spoken about openly and warmly in the past.

‘I qualify for Israel, my mum has Israeli citizenship,’ he said after making his Ireland debut in 2024. ‘It was always Ireland. It’s always been a goal of mine to play for Ireland.’

His father Tim grew up in Cork, and Azaz has often spoken of his Irish roots, including a great-uncle who was a celebrated Cork hurler.

The suggestion around his future has not come from Azaz himself, and he has made no public comment on the matter.

Ireland fulfil the first of their two Nations League fixtures against Israel in Debrecen this evening, with the return game due to be played behind closed doors in Serbia next weekend.