As the 2026 World Cup kickoff on June 11 in Mexico approaches, it will mark nearly 24 years since Ireland last participated in the prestigious tournament. The national team’s last appearance ended in a penalty shootout defeat to Spain, a match they arguably should have won, leaving fans yearning for a return to the global stage.
Since then, Ireland’s attempts to qualify have been fraught with disappointment, with the infamous Thierry Henry handball during the 2010 qualification campaign standing out as a near miss. Recent efforts have only widened the gap between Ireland and qualification, despite FIFA’s expansion of the tournament to 48 teams, which will include 16 more European spots than the previous edition in Qatar.
Ireland’s prospects have improved slightly with the new European qualifying format. Heimir Hallgrimsson’s squad has been drawn into a four-team group that includes Hungary, Armenia, and the winners of the Nations League clash between Portugal and Denmark. While only the 12 group winners are guaranteed World Cup spots, second-place teams can enter a playoff format, providing a potential path to qualification.
Ten years since Ireland last qualified for a major tournament, the team remains an outside contender for one of the top two spots in the group. However, there is optimism surrounding this new-look squad, which will face a critical six-match campaign from September to November.
Portugal or Denmark
Ireland’s preference for their potential opponent in the Nations League clash would likely lean towards Denmark, who they faced in the 2022 qualifiers. Although they nearly secured a win in the Algarve, a recent encounter saw Ireland lose 3-0 to a stronger Portuguese side, highlighting the challenges they face. Hallgrimsson has expressed no preference but acknowledges that Denmark would provide a more manageable challenge, allowing for a focused game plan.
Denmark, a team Ireland aspires to emulate, has shown mixed results recently, struggling at the Euros and in the Nations League. However, they still possess key players like Christian Eriksen, Yussuf Poulsen, and Kasper Schmeichel, who can influence games.
Hungary and Armenia: Key Matches Ahead
Hungary, the second seeds in Ireland’s group, will also be aiming for top honors. With star midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai leading the charge, Hungary has experienced ups and downs, recently qualifying for Euro 2024 but faltering against stronger teams.
Ireland must secure all six points against Armenia to maintain their qualification hopes. Despite a lackluster defeat in a recent encounter, Hallgrimsson’s side is expected to perform better in the autumn fixtures.
September Start: A Crucial Window
The September window presents an optimal opportunity for Ireland to perform, as players will be fit and in form after pre-season training. Hallgrimsson is keen to avoid the slow starts that have plagued previous campaigns, emphasizing the importance of a strong opening.
Ireland will begin their campaign with home matches against Hungary and an away trip to Armenia. Winning these two fixtures could set the stage for a confident October window, where they will face either Portugal or Denmark. If Ireland can accumulate six or seven points by the halfway stage of the campaign, fans might start considering flights to the World Cup next summer.
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