Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson has been looking on the bright side following the 2026 World Cup qualifying draw.
Following FIFA’s ceremony on Friday morning, the Boys in Green have been matched up with Hungary, Armenia, and either Denmark or Portugal.
The identity of that final side in the four-team group will not be settled until the Nations League quarter-finals are completed in March.
Speaking after the draw was made, Hallgrimsson was not exactly punching the air in excitement about the line-up; and feels it was a ‘neutral’ outcome.
Heimir Hallgrimsson on Ireland’s World Cup draw
‘Kind of neutral, could have been worse, could have been better, so I think it’s a group that definitely teams will take points from each other,’ the Icelandic coach said.
‘I don’t think there will be a runaway winner which makes it more possible to qualify, so good for us. I think it’s a kind of an equal… group.’
It will be a long wait for Ireland to get back into action as the campaign will not get underway until September 2025.
A Nations League promotion/relegation play-off with Bulgaria awaits in March before two friendlies follow in June.
Hallgrimsson was also asked about Shamrock Rovers‘ success in the Conference League, having best FK Borac 3-0 on Thursday night.
With the likes of Johnny Kenny and Neil Farrugia thriving in the competition, the Ireland boss hopes some of the Rovers get a ‘career change’ from the Euro run.
‘Yeah, good players, impressive performance yesterday, two or three really good performances, not going to count the names, it would put pressure on the players or me, but it is obviously good if they are playing well all season,’ he continued.
‘Easier to pick them if they are playing regularly before the national team comes together, but I’m pretty sure a lot of teams in Europe are watching them – “Who are these guys”, going this far this, doing this good in the tournament…
‘So probably there is a lot of scouting on those players at the moment so hopefully they will get career change from this success.’