Seamus Coleman Omitted From Republic of Ireland Squad

The 37-year-old defender remains without a club following his departure from Everton, choosing to sit out the international window.

Heimir Hallgrimsson Explains Seamus Coleman Absence and Future Prospects

The Republic of Ireland manager addressed the squad omission during Thursday’s announcement, clarifying that the decision for the 81-cap veteran to sit out the upcoming international window was reached mutually, with Coleman driving the final call. 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. The former Republic of Ireland captain was part of the squad which took part in June’s international friendlies. However, the 81-times capped player has not been included in a 26-strong group for the upcoming four matches.

Neither Séamus nor Robbie Brady have a club so we leave them out for this camp, said Hallgrímsson. Séamus will be with us in the future, hopefully as a player. He hasn’t been training with a team so we felt it was appropriate that he sits this camp out. It was more Séamus’ decision as it would not be fair on other players.

Heimir Hallgrimsson, Republic of Ireland manager

Hallgrimsson elaborated on the reasoning behind the exclusion, noting player fairness played a central role in the veteran defender’s mindset. 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,” Hallgrimsson added.

Squad Changes, New Call-Ups, and Crucial Injury Deficits

Beyond Coleman, fellow veteran Robbie Brady also misses out due to being without a club. Meanwhile, the squad faces a substantial defensive hurdle with captain Nathan Collins sidelined for an expected five weeks due to a calf injury sustained during Brentford’s 1-1 Premier League draw with Sunderland on September 5.

In response to these absences, Sheffield United loanee Liam Kitching has been handed his first call-up. Left-sided centre-back Kitching is on a season-long loan from Coventry City. Uncapped Cardiff City defender Joel Bagan and Owen Elding, the former Sligo Rovers attacker who joined Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership last season, are in contention for their first caps during the four-match international window. Bosun Lawal is named as a midfielder alongside Harvey Vale and Jayson Molumby. “I hope so,” said Hallgrímsson when asked if Lawal can establish himself in midfield. But he is injured. We rate him so highly that we feel it is necessary that we have him around the squad. Sammie Szmodics is overlooked but Rocco Vata returns to the set-up after an injury lay off. The team’s injury list further sidelines Evan Ferguson (ankle), Josh Cullen (knee), Jack Taylor (knee), Mikey Johnston (ankle), Oisin McEntee, and Jimmy Dunne, who also sustained a muscular injury earlier this month.

Nations League Schedule and Opponent Developments

The Republic of Ireland enters a demanding stretch of Group B3 fixtures across late September and early October. The Republic of Ireland will travel to face Kosovo on 24 September, before fixtures against Israel on 27 September and Austria 1 October. The Irish will then play a second fixture against Israel in Group B3 on 4 October, with Ireland’s ‘home’ tie taking place at the TSC Arena in the small Serbian town of Bačka Topola.

SEAMUS COLEMAN TALKS ABOUT HIS IRELAND FUTURE

The Israel squad that was also named this morning by head coach Ran Ben-Shimon includes the Arab-Israeli wing back Anan Khalaili who has started the season well at Crystal Palace, where he works alongside Ireland coach Paddy McCarthy, since his €25 million move from Belgiam club Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. Ajax playmaker Oscar Gloukh is also included for their games against Austria in Linz, Ireland and Kosovo in Debrecen. Gloukh featured against Shelbourne last month in the first-leg of the Uefa Conference League qualifiers but he was an unused sub for the second-leg at Tolka Park. The official Israel football association website is geoblocked in Ireland.

Complicating the group dynamics, there are ongoing and very public problems in the Kosovo camp ahead of their opening match against Ireland in Pristina next Thursday as a number of top players have pulled out of the squad in solidarity with Napoli’s Amir Rrahamni.

Amir Rrahamni, Kosovo player

After 10 years, seven as captain, I will not be part of the Kosovo squad as long as the FKK is led by its current individuals, said Rrahamni. Former Ipswich Town goalkeeper Arijanet Murić and Juventus midfielder Edon Zhegrova are also believed to have declined a call up to Franco Foda’s panel, casting uncertainty over Kosovo’s roster strength as they prepare to host Ireland.

Ireland's Séamus Coleman and Nathan Collins after the friendly against North Macedonia in March. Photograph: Ben Brady/Inpho — Photo: irishtimes.com

Republic of Ireland squad Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Brentford), Max O’Leary (West Bromwich Albion), Gavin Bazunu (Bolton Wanderers) Defenders: James Abankwah (Udinese), Joel Bagan (Cardiff City), Jimmy Dunne (Queens Park Rangers), John Egan (Hull City), Liam Kitching (Sheffield United), Ryan Manning (Southampton), Jake O’Brien (Everton), Dara O’Shea (Ipswich Town), Liam Scales (Celtic) Midfielders: Finn Azaz (Southampton), Conor Coventry (Charlton Athletic), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Jamie McGrath (Hibernian), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Harvey Vale (Queens Park Rangers), Bosun Lawal (Stoke City) Forwards: Owen Elding (Hibernian), Adam Idah (Swansea City), Jack Moylan (Cardiff City), Chiedozie Ogbene (Lincoln City), Troy Parrott (Real Betis), Rocco Vata (Watford), Tom Cannon (Sheffield United)