The New Nations League format could have a massive impact on Ireland’s hopes of qualifying for the World Cup in 2026.
The tournament has been viewed as a warm-up competition more than anything in the past, but now there seems to be real ramifications depending on how well you perform in it.
UEFA has decided to add promotion and relegation play-offs, and depending on where Ireland finish up, it could play a big role in helping, or derailing, their World Cup aspirations.
If Heimir Hallgrimsson’s team fail to make the Nations League Play-offs, then they will likely be entered into a five-team group that will begin in March.
However, if the Irishmen can finish second or third in their group, then they won’t start their qualification process until June, and will be entered into a four-team group.
This is also the first time that the World Cup qualification process will involve 12 group games, so Ireland will want to attack the Nations League and treat it as seriously as possible.
Ireland have not qualified for a World Cup since 2002, but former international defender and now assistant coach John O’Shea, thinks that the new manager is the right man to change that.
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He’s a cool character, how he goes about things and how he wants to impress his personality on the team as well,” O’Shea said when asked how he has found his boss with the FAI.
“But you can tell that there is a steeliness behind it and how he wants to get his ideas across. His messages are very clear and you can see the intensity in his voice when he’s on the training pitch.
“If a player is not doing the role, he soon lets them know. You don’t qualify for major tournaments and be successful with teams by not having a steeliness about you.”
Hallgrimsson himself has said that the team will be very much focusing on the basics, and playing with an underdog mentality to try and pull off some big shocks .
As Iceland manager, he already helped make history as the small nation managed to topple the mighty England at EURO 2016 – with that as the backdrop, then Ireland’s next game against the English on Saturday will be very intriguing indeed.