Seamus Coleman Excluded from Ireland's Nations League Squad

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 a constant presence for more than a decade.

The 37-year-old, capped 81 times, is currently without a club after bringing a 17-year spell at Everton to an end at the close of the 2025-26 season. He walked away from Goodison Park with 433 appearances to his name, a modern club great now facing an uncertain next step.

Coleman was involved as recently as June, included in the squad for Ireland’s international friendlies. This time, his name is missing from a 26-man group that will tackle four games in a packed schedule.

Upcoming Fixtures

Ireland open away to Kosovo on 24 September, then head into back-to-back clashes that could define their Nations League campaign: Israel on 27 September, Austria on 1 October, and a second meeting with Israel in Group B3 on 4 October.

Heimir Hallgrimsson made it clear this is not a farewell, at least not in his mind.

“It is my intention in whatever shape or form that he [Coleman] would be with us in the future, hopefully as a player,” the Ireland manager said as he unveiled his squad.

Coleman, though, has not trained with a club since leaving Everton. That lack of day-to-day football told in the final call.

“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.

So Ireland move into a crucial block of fixtures without their former captain, and without their current one as well. Nathan Collins misses out through a calf injury picked up in Brentford's 1-1 Premier League draw with Sunderland on 5 September.

Robbie Brady, another experienced figure, is also absent as he too is without a club.

Injury List

The injury list runs deeper. Evan Ferguson (ankle), Josh Cullen (knee), Jack Taylor (knee), Mikey Johnston (ankle) and Oisin McEntee are all unavailable. QPR defender Jimmy Dunne suffered a muscular injury earlier this month and also drops out of contention.

That raft of absences has opened the door for fresh faces.

Sheffield United loanee Liam Kitching receives his first senior call-up. The left-sided centre-back is spending the season on loan from Coventry City and now finds himself thrust into the international frame.

Uncapped Cardiff City defender Joel Bagan is included and could make his debut, while Owen Elding of Sligo Rovers is also in the mix for a first cap during this four-game window.

A squad once built around the reliability of Coleman and the experience of Brady now leans heavily on emerging defenders and players still trying to establish themselves. The Nations League will show whether this is a temporary patchwork or the start of a new defensive era for Ireland.