Seamus Coleman has been omitted from the Republic of Ireland squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures against Kosovo, Israel and Austria, manager Heimir Hallgrimsson confirmed on Thursday.
The 37-year-old defender, who ended his 17-year spell at Everton at the conclusion of the 2025-26 season after making 433 appearances for the club, remains without a club. He had featured in the Republic of Ireland squad for June's international friendlies but does not appear in the 26-man group named for the four-match window.
Hallgrimsson explained that the decision to leave out the former captain, who has earned 81 caps for his country, was made jointly with the player himself. "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. "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 notable absentee. Robbie Brady, also currently without a club, misses out for similar reasons, while skipper Nathan Collins will sit out the fixtures due to injury. Collins picked up a calf problem during Brentford's 1-1 Premier League draw with Sunderland on 5 September.
A host of other players have been ruled out through injury, including Evan Ferguson (ankle), Josh Cullen (knee), Jack Taylor (knee), Mikey Johnston (ankle) and Oisin McEntee. QPR's Jimmy Dunne, who also picked up a muscular injury earlier this month, is similarly unavailable.
On a more positive note, Hallgrimsson has handed a maiden call-up to Sheffield United loanee Liam Kitching, who is spending the season on loan at Bramall Lane from Coventry City and operates as a left-sided centre-back. Cardiff City's Joel Bagan and Hibernian forward Owen Elding are both included and could be in line for their first senior caps during this international break.
The Republic of Ireland begin their Nations League Group B3 campaign away to Kosovo on 24 September, before back-to-back meetings with Israel — first away on 27 September and then in a return fixture on 4 October. Sandwiched between those matches is a trip to face Austria on 1 October.
The squad named by Hallgrimsson features goalkeepers Caoimhin Kelleher, Max O'Leary and Gavin Bazunu. In defence, he has called up Dara O'Shea, Jake O'Brien, Liam Scales, John Egan, James Abankwah, Jimmy Dunne, Liam Kitching, Ryan Manning and Joel Bagan.
The midfield options include Jayson Molumby, Jason Knight, Finn Azaz, Bosun Lawal, Jamie McGrath, Harvey Vale and Conor Coventry, while the forward line features Troy Parrott, Adam Idah, Chiedozie Ogbene, Tom Cannon, Owen Elding, Jack Moylan and Rocco Vata.
Coleman's future with the national side remains uncertain given his current lack of a club, but Hallgrimsson's comments suggest the door has not been closed on a potential recall should the veteran defender secure a new playing contract.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport Football.