Another World Cup qualifying campaign is on the horizon for the Boys in Green as Heimir Hallgrímsson’s side will discover their opponents this Friday.
2002 was the last time the Republic of Ireland competed at a World Cup – a tournament synonymous with the Saipan incident- while Spain knocked Ireland out thanks to a penalty shoot-out victory in the Round of 16.
2017 marked the last time the country came close to qualifying for a World Cup but in the end, Martin O’Neill’s team were dismantled 5-1 by Denmark in a World Cup qualifier play-off to dash their hopes.
Due to Ireland’s involvement in a UEFA Nations League relegation play-off against Bulgaria next March, it looks likely that the Boys in Green will be in a four-team group for this World Cup qualifying campaign. If that is the case, their campaign will start next September.
Ireland will be in Pot 3 so they won’t draw any other country in the same pot. Due to complications, Ireland may or may not be able to draw some of the countries listed in the other pots – all will be confirmed as the draw is being made on Friday.
The draw, being held in Zurich, will be live on RTÉ Player and the RTÉ News channel at 11am this Friday, December 13.
France, Spain, England, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Germany, Croatia, Switzerland, Denmark and Austria.
Ukraine, Sweden, Turkey, Wales, Hungary, Serbia, Poland, Romania, Greece, Slovakia, Czechia and Norway.
Scotland, Slovenia, , Albania, North Macedonia, Georgia, Finland, Iceland, Northern Ireland, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Israel.
Bulgaria, Luxembourg, Belarus, Kosovo, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Estonia, Cyprus, Faroe Islands, Latvia and Lithuania.
Moldova, Malta, Andorra, Gibraltar, Liechtenstein and San Marino.
In total, 16 European nations will qualify for the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The 12 group winners qualify directly for the World Cup; the four remaining berths are determined by play-offs involving the 12 group runners-up. The 12 group runners-up will participate in the play-offs, along with the four best-ranked group winners of the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League that did not finish their European Qualifiers group stage in first or second place.