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 significant omission for a player who has long been a fixture in green.

The 37-year-old, without a club since bringing a 17-year spell at Everton to an end after the 2025-26 season, was involved in June’s international friendlies. This time, his name is missing from Heimir Hallgrimsson’s 26-man list for four games that will shape Ireland’s Group B3 campaign.

Ireland face Kosovo away on 24 September, then Israel on 27 September and Austria on 1 October, before a second meeting with Israel on 4 October.

Hallgrimsson made it clear Coleman’s story with Ireland is not over.

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

Coleman, capped 81 times and a former captain, has been keeping himself fit but has not trained with a club. That detail proved decisive.

"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."

Coleman is not the only senior figure absent. Robbie Brady misses out as he too is currently without a club, while captain Nathan Collins is sidelined with 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 have all been ruled out. QPR defender Jimmy Dunne suffered a muscular injury earlier this month and is also unavailable.

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

Sheffield United loanee Liam Kitching receives his first call-up, the left-sided centre-back currently on a season-long loan from Coventry City. Uncapped Cardiff City defender Joel Bagan is included and could make his debut, while Owen Elding of Sligo Rovers is also in contention for a first cap during what promises to be a demanding four-match window.

Experience on the sidelines, opportunity on the pitch. Ireland’s Nations League campaign will reveal how quickly this reshaped group can grow without one of its most enduring leaders.