Irish opposition parties have called on the government to intervene to cancel Sunday's UEFA Nations League match between the Republic of Ireland and Israel, citing Israeli genocide in Gaza and what they described as pressure on players and management.

Labour lawmaker Ciaran Ahern and Social Democrats lawmaker Daniel Ennis made separate calls on Saturday after a Football Association of Ireland (FAI) press conference in Hungary, the site of the planned game, was significantly delayed.

The delay followed goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu saying he did not want to play the match and a vote among players on whether to take part that reportedly resulted in most agreeing to the game.

Ahern said the government should take measures to "stop the game," arguing that players should be protected from the consequences of any decision not to play.

"Listening to (Ireland manager) Heimir Hallgrimsson would indicate that many players may continue to reflect on their vote overnight," he said.

“The government should guarantee the FAI a financial backstop to any consequences from them making the decision that many on the team would like to take."

He added, referring to Israel’s years-long genocide of Palestinians in Gaza: "Fans understand there may be sporting consequences and will accept them. Taking a stand against genocide is more important."

Ennis, the Social Democrats' spokesperson on sport, also criticised the decision to go ahead with the match.

"The decision by our international squad to fulfil Ireland's fixture against Israel in the Nations League tomorrow is disappointing, but our players should never have been put in such a difficult position to begin with," he said.

Sinn Fein also criticised the FAI, accusing it of taking part in an "ultimate betrayal of Irish football and the people of Palestine" by proceeding with the game.

Joanna Byrne, the party's spokesperson on sport, said the FAI should "hang their heads in shame" over the situation.

"The decision to ignore the will of the Irish people and fulfil the games against Israel will go down as the worst decision ever made by any board of the FAI, and that is saying something," said Byrne.