Cape Verde's Roberto Lopes has reiterated his feeling that the Republic of Ireland's October games against Israel should not go ahead.

Lopes' latest statement comes after the Dáil rejected Opposition proposals to stop the UEFA Nations League games and seek an international sporting ban on Israel.

An FAI board meeting this evening is expected to progress the chance of the Dublin match being moved to a neutral venue, although UEFA would have to approve such a move.

In an interview with RTÉ Sport's Tony O'Donoghue ahead of his country's World Cup opener against Spain early Monday morning (5pm, Irish time), the Crumlin native suggested the decision whether to play the matches should have not only been taken out of the players' hands, but also away from the Football Association of Ireland itself.

"I said it from the start, my stance remains the same. I don't think the game should be played," Lopes told RTÉ Sport.

"It's terrible that the players have been put in this position. It's terrible that the FAI have been put in this position as well.

"It's a decision that should have been taken out of their hands.

"It hasn't, and I just think that for the majority of people in the country, they don't want the game to be played.

"So, I just I think it's time to listen to the noises outside.

"I do understand, it's a very difficult position for players and even them having to face the interviews that’s a really hard position for them to be in.

"But my stance hasn't changed. I still think the game shouldn’t be played."

Looking ahead to Cape Verde's opening Group H match in Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium against the Spanish, Lopes understands the scale of the task facing he and his team-mates.

But the Shamrock Rovers skipper is buzzing to face Luis de la Fuente's side, who are second favourites to lift the Jules Rimet trophy.

"The moment we stepped into the United States, just the excitement and the buzz you could feel, it was palpable. I have met so many great, brilliant supporters here in the US and they're all buzzing for our game against Spain on Monday," Lopes beamed.

"Kicking off now today, the tournament itself, we're really looking forward to sitting down and watching and just getting a taste for what is to come.

"People in the hotel, the staff, the security, are buzzing and constantly asking questions.

"We got a tremendous send-off in Lisbon, I have to say, from the Cape Verdean fans. It was a great game as well to fly off to beat a team like Serbia 3-0 in a friendly. It's gone really well.

"The game against Bermuda (also a 3-0 victory) was a nice little confidence booster as well. We know it's probably different to the game that we're going to face on Monday, but it's all important just to get that confidence and that good feeling around the camp. I think the squad is in a good position at the moment."

Roberto Lopes speaks with @corktod about Cape Verde's travel to the US for the World Cup when it comes to visa and others concerns.

🗣️ "It's unfortunate seeing some countries go through it. Thankfully though we haven't experienced it and everything has gone quite smoothly for... pic.twitter.com/VO1vZQm4Gl — RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 11, 2026

Lopes has firmly established himself in the Cape Verde defence but until the teamsheet is pinned up in the dressing-room ahead of kick-off on Monday, the Crumlin native is taking nothing for certain about whether or not he'll be named to start in Cape Verde's first ever World Cup fixture.

"That's the manager's decision, that's the question you ask for him. I never take anything for granted," Lopes said.

"We've got a few days training before that match so I'm going to give everything I can to show him I deserve to be in the team first and foremost and his decision is his decision. I'll be there to help the team regardless of that. It's going to be an exciting time regardless.

"Very few people get to be at a World Cup and they have this moment for me as well as my family and my friends and obviously us as a group in Cape Verde. It's going to be an amazing feeling no matter what."

Lopes is one of two League of Ireland players who are World Cup bound as St Patrick's Athletic goalkeeper Joseph Anang has also been named in the Ghana squad who will compete in Group L alongside England, Croatia and Panama.

It means a bumper payday for the two Dublin clubs who will each receive in the region of €7,000 per day in FIFA compensation while both continue their league season shorn of one of their most important players. It will materialise to a six-figure sum for each club.

"It's a nice touch. It just goes to show you the importance of being able to have players at these international tournaments," Lopes said.

"Obviously, the prestige of it and the pride you have of having players in our league and club representing at these levels. It's also a financial benefit to the club as well. We continue to produce players who are at many tournaments."

If his whole World Cup journey has felt like a dream to this point, the man they call 'Pico' understands that Spain may well deliver some harsh realities in Atlanta on Monday morning.

"Yeah, look, the quality they have in their team is for everyone to see," he said. "They probably have the best young player in the world at the moment (Lamine Yamal) and it does dazzle the stars across our team.

"This is what it's all about. You qualify for the best tournament we have in our sport and you want to be playing against the best players. So for me, when we drew Spain back in December, I was delighted. These are the games you want to play against the very, very best and test yourself.

"It couldn't have been a better opening game for us personally."

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Source: RTE