Ireland’s Adam Idah during the international friendly against Hungary at Aviva Stadium in Dublin last June. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Ireland will start and finish their World Cup qualifying campaign against Hungary with a trip to Budapest in November to complete the group.
Earlier on Friday Ireland were drawn in Group F, with a wait to find out the identity of their opponents from Pot One as they will face the winners of a March playoff in the Nations League between Portugal and Denmark.
Ireland begin in September with a home date with Hungary on Saturday September 6 before a punishing trip to Yerevan to face Armenia, on Tuesday September 9.
The October window sees Ireland play away to either Portugal or Denmark on Saturday October 11, then a game at home to Armenia on Tuesday October 14.
And the November camp has Ireland down to play Portugal/Denmark at home on Thursday November 13, with the concluding game for Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side in Hungary on Sunday November 16.
The winners of each group advance to the 2026 World Cup finals, with the runners-up from all 12 groups entering a playoff, along with four teams who come through the Nations League route, fighting for four more places at the finals.
Ireland’s FIFA World Cup 26 qualifying schedule
September 6: Ireland v Hungary, Aviva Stadium, 7.45pm
September 9: Armenia v Ireland, TBC, 5pm (Irish Time)
October 11: Portugal/Denmark v Ireland, TBC, 7.45pm (Irish Time)
October 14: Ireland v Armenia, Aviva Stadium, 7.45pm
November 13: Ireland v Portugal or Denmark, Aviva Stadium, 7.45pm
November 16: Hungary v Ireland, TBC, 2pm (Irish Time)