Finn Azaz Stays Loyal to Ireland Amid International Challenges
Finn Azaz is not stepping away from international football anytime soon. The Southampton forward has made it clear he will continue to represent the Republic of Ireland, putting to rest any rumors about his potential retirement from the national scene.
At 26 years old, Azaz has already donned the green jersey 16 times since making his debut in 2024. Born in England, he proudly represents Ireland thanks to his father, all while holding eligibility for Israel through his mother.
Recently, Azaz found himself on the bench during two Nations League clashes against Israel, matches that were steeped in controversy. Following those games, speculation arose that he might hang up his international boots amidst the backdrop of the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict.
Calls for Irish players to withdraw from these fixtures gained momentum, led by the group Irish Sport for Palestine, which organized protests before a match against Austria in Dublin.
Despite these pressures, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) opted to proceed with the matches, which had already been relocated to neutral venues. Ireland secured a solid 3-0 victory in their first encounter with Israel, followed by a hard-fought 1-1 draw.
In a display of solidarity, the Irish team wore black armbands and observed a moment of respect during Israel's national anthem, although the customary handshake was omitted.
Manager Heimir Hallgrimsson acknowledged the mental strain on Azaz during this tumultuous period. "It is probably the most difficult situation for him of all of us," Hallgrimsson remarked. "He deserves a lot of credit for being in the squad and showed desire to be a part of this team."
On the club front, Azaz has been making waves at Southampton since his move from Middlesborough last summer. With 14 goals and 15 assists in 60 appearances, he has quickly become a key player for the Saints.
Looking ahead, Azaz believes there's still room for improvement as the team aims for promotion back to the Premier League. "It's been a good start by the team but we're not there yet," he said. "There's still space to get to another level. We have high aspirations and the mindset has to be to keep getting better."
