THE Republic of Ireland will face either Portugal or Denmark in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
The 2026 World Cup qualifying draw took place on Friday morning, with the Boys in Green facing the prospect of a daunting path as third seeds.
5
5
5
5
While they avoided the likes of England, Spain, the Netherlands, and Belgium, they are guaranteed to face past European champions.
Portugal and Denmark face off in the Nations League quarter-finals next March, with the winners taking their place in Ireland‘s group.
Heimir Hallgrimsson’s men were also joined by Hungary and Armenia.
Reacting to the draw, the 57-year-old admitted: “My reaction is kind of neutral. The draw could have been better, it could have been worse.
“It is definitely a group in which teams will take points off each other. I don’t think there will be a runaway winner which is good as it helps our chances of qualifying.
“There is always pressure, that’s the job, it’s about these games which are going to come and go fast – September, October and November – and then we’ll know if we’re going to qualify or not.
“There is going to be heavy pressure for those three months.”
Being drawn in a four-team group means Ireland’s campaign will begin in September 2025 and run until November.
This represents a scheduling relief for Hallgrimsson, with Ireland scheduled for a Nations League promotion/relegation play-off next March.
However, Hallgrimsson revealed he plans on testing his team against nations of a similar ilk to the 2016 and 1992 European champions.
He added: “I feel like both of these teams play similar type of football, they are possession teams with creative players.
“Portugal has better individuals than Denmark but Denmark has a really good collective team.
“They are the best Scandinavian team with regard to technique and pressing. They are a little bit different but they play a similar type of football.”
“Now we can try and find teams for friendlies in June who are similar.
“I think we have improved but if we are to qualify we have to take points against teams likes Portugal, Denmark and Hungary.”
The 2026 World Cup is being co-hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
Should Ireland qualify, it will be their first involvement at the finals since 2002, while they have not competed at a major tournament since Euro 2016.
While their group could have been a lot worse, they still face a challenging journey to get to America.
The convoluted nature of the marrying up of today’s draw with the Nations League play-offs sees a format of 12 qualifying groups, six of which will contain four teams and six of which will have five.
The 12 group winners qualify for the finals, with the other four European places in North America decided in play-offs featuring the 12 runners-up and the four best-ranked group winners from the Nations League outside those top two positions.
RECENT HISTORY
Ireland have recent experience of facing Cristiano Ronaldo and co, having lost 3-0 to the Euro 2016 winners in a friendly back in June.
Previous to that, they met in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, with Stephen Kenny‘s men drawing 0-0 in Dublin and losing 2-1 in Faro.
When it comes to Denmark, meanwhile, memories of the 5-1 drubbing in the 2018 World Cup qualification play-offs will come to mind.
Christian Eriksen famously scored a hat-trick as the Danes ran out winners in Dublin.
Ireland’s last game against Hungary was also this past summer, when Troy Parrott‘s 90th minute goal sealed a 2-1 friendly win at the Aviva Stadium.
As for Armenia, the last time they two teams crossed paths was in the 2022 Nations League.
After losing 1-0 away from home, Stephen Kenny‘s men gained revenge with a nervy 3-2 win at home that September.
Robbie Brady‘s injury time penalty sealed the win after Armenia had had two men sent off late on.
Hallgrimsson continued: “It’s probably good to have lost to them [Armenia].
“They are seeded below us but I don’t think any of the players would underestimate them. They are solid, they have got some good results and when they lose, it is usually only by one goal.
“They are a tricky opponent, going away and logistics and stuff. If we are going to qualify we are going to need six points against Armenia.”