Seamus Coleman Left Out of Ireland Squad for Nations League Matches

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 defined a generation of Irish defending.

The 37-year-old, without a club since ending his 17-year spell at Everton at the close of the 2025-26 season, was involved in June’s friendlies. This time, his name is missing from a 26-man group that will contest four matches in Group B3.

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, rounding off a demanding block of fixtures.

Coleman, capped 81 times and a former captain, remains in the thoughts of manager Heimir Hallgrimsson, who underlined that this is not a closing of the door.

"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 as he announced his squad on Thursday.

Coleman has been keeping himself fit but has not been training with a club, a key factor in the decision.

"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."

He is not the only experienced figure missing. Robbie Brady is also absent as he, too, is currently without a club. Captain Nathan Collins will sit out the window while he recovers from a calf injury picked up in Brentford's 1-1 Premier League draw with Sunderland on 5 September.

The injury list runs deeper. Evan Ferguson (ankle), Josh Cullen (knee), Jack Taylor (knee), Mikey Johnston (ankle) and Oisin McEntee were all ruled out, while QPR defender Jimmy Dunne suffered a muscular injury earlier this month.

The absences have opened the door for fresh faces.

Sheffield United loanee Liam Kitching earns his first senior call-up. The left-sided centre-back is on a season-long loan from Coventry City and now has a clear chance to impress on the international stage.

Uncapped Cardiff City defender Joel Bagan is also included, as is Owen Elding of Sligo Rovers, both in contention for their first caps during this four-game stretch.

A squad missing Coleman, Brady and its captain will look and feel different. The question now is whether this reshaped Ireland can turn a period of transition into a statement month in the Nations League.