Heimir Hallgrimsson’s Ireland drawn alongside Portugal/Denmark, Hungary and Armenia in the battle for World Cup 2026 qualification.
- Best chance in years as Ireland avoid France, Spain, Germany and England
- 48-team tournament
- Revenge mission?
Ireland will have to overcome Hungary, Armenia and one of Portugal or Denmark if they hope to bring their 22-year absence from World Cup finals football to an end.
Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side finished their Nations League campaign with a 5-0 drubbing at the hands of rivals England in November, however there were some signs of life from the boys in green as they picked up victories over Finland both at home and away to finish third in their group – earning them a relegation playoff clash against Bulgaria next March.
The World Cup will take place across USA, Canada and Mexico in 2026, making it over 30 years since Ireland’s memorable USA 1994 campaign which saw them beat Italy in the group stages before eventually being knocked out by the Netherlands in the last 16.
Ireland have failed in their last 5 attempts at qualifying for a World Cup, coming close back in 2010 only to be eliminated by that infamous Theirry Henry handball incident in a playoff which saw the French side advance to the finals in South Africa. Fans need to wind back to 2002 for the last time Ireland contested a World Cup game, a tournament mired by controversy after Roy Keane’s departure from the squad following a well-documented bust-up with then manager Mick McCarthy.
“It’s a group where definitely the teams will take points from each other. Looking at it, I don’t think there will be a runaway winner which makes it more positive to qualify, which is good for us” – Manager Heimir Hallgrimsson speaking after the draw.
This World Cup marks the first time that 48 international teams will take part in the competition, a golden opportunity for Ireland to qualify knowing that they will likely feature at Euro 2028 having been confirmed as hosts alongside England, Scotland and Wales.
The group will see them face the winners of Portugal and Denmark who meet in March to contest the Nations League Group A playoff, and Ireland will feel a sense of revenge against either opponent having suffered defeat to both nations during qualification groups in 2017 and 2021. Hallgrimmson appeared relatively unperturbed as to having a preference for either side in the qualifiers.
“”I think both these teams play similar types of football. Both possession teams, creative players, really good on the ball both teams. Portugal has better individuals, technically better individuals, but I think Denmark has a really good collective team”.
Ireland will be confident in their ability to overcome both Hungary and Armenia, having beaten both in their last encounter in 2024 and 2022 respectively. The Hungarians are currently ranked #30 in the world after qualifying and performing admirably at Euro 2020, with captain Dominik Szoboszlai set to face off against Liverpool colleague Caoimhin Kelleher as they prepare to battle for a place in the World Cup Group Stages.
Only top spot is guaranteed to qualify, with second place having to enter a playoff in order to secure qualification – something Ireland would prefer to avoid given they suffered playoff defeats for Euro 96, World Cup 98, Euro 2000, World Cup 2010 , World Cup 2018 and most recently Euro 2020.
“The most important thing for us was to be in a group of four teams playing this September-October-November window. It comes quick. It finishes in three months. So hopefully, everybody will be fit and ready.”
The draw also carries significant meaning for Ireland forward Sammie Szmodics, who turned down the opportunity to play for Hungary having qualified via his paternal grandfather. The Ipswich striker has been in great form this season, scoring 3 goals as the Tractor Boys returned to the Premier League for the first time since 2002.
Ireland captain Nathan Collins spoke of the players’ desperation to qualify for the World Cup. Speaking to the Irish Independent, Collins stated “‘The squad wants it so desperately. We are trying our b****x off’”. Having failed to qualify for the last four major tournaments, the team has become obsessed by the prospect of qualifying and playing at World Cup 2026.
“From the outside, you may not see it, but we are all desperate to do it. We’re desperate to qualify, it’s all we want. It’s all we ever talk about at the tables when we’re eating lunch dinner, we just want it so bad”.
Fans will be eager to learn if it will be Portugal or Denmark who take the final place in Ireland’s qualification group. Ireland have history with both sides – the Danes beating Martin O’Neill’s side in the World Cup 2018 playoff, while a late brace by Cristiano Ronaldo stopped Ireland from a memorable victory over Portugal in the World Cup 2022 qualifiers.
Ireland are currently ranked 60th in the latest FIFA World Rankings, with Armenia (100) the lowest ranked team in the group. Heimir Halgrimmson has specifically stated that beating Armenia will be an absolute necessity if Ireland hope to qualify.
“They are seeded below us but I don’t think any of the players would underestimate this team. If we are going to qualify, we need six points against Armenia.”
Ireland will open their World Cup qualification campaign at home against Hungary on Saturday 6th September 2025, with a trip to Armenia just 3 days later. The boys in green will be hoping that key players such as Evan Ferguson and Caoimhin Kelleher are in top form for their clubs between now and then, otherwise another major international tournament may again pass by which would see their World Cup hiatus span close to three decades.
Paul Madden 