FIFA World Cup qualification: introducing the opponents of the Republic of Ireland

We’ve prepared a 1xBet review about the chances of the Boys in Green to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

How strong are we?

As an assistant coach, Heimir Hallgrímsson helped Iceland sensationally reach the Euro 2016 quarter-finals, and then, as head coach, he took the team to the 2018 World Cup. The 57-year-old Icelander’s experience inspires hope, but our national team’s results haven’t been impressive so far. Ireland kept their spot in the UEFA Nations League B by winning the play-offs against Bulgaria. However, 4 defeats to England and Greece in the group with a 0-11 aggregate score are alarming: this was terrible, despite the opponents’ superiority in class.

Caoimhín Kelleher, Jake O’Brien, Dara O’Shea, Jason Knight, Evan Ferguson, Adam Idah, Troy Parrott – these new generation players are motivated to get the Boys in Green back to big tournaments. The problem is that many of them haven’t even seen Ireland last play at the World Cup in 2002. Evan Ferguson wasn’t even born at that time.

Who are our opponents?

Portugal

The Lusitanians are 7th in the list of favourites for the 2026 World Cup according to the betting company 1xBet. This is a really star-studded team, where even Cristiano Ronaldo may be left on the bench. Ireland will play the qualifiers against Portugal on October 11 away and then on November 13 at home.

Portugal hasn’t missed a World Cup in the 21st century. But the number of this national team’s victories on Ireland’s ground is the same as the number of 1xBet complaints. That is, none! Thanks to their team spirit, our boys are capable of stopping the Portuguese stars in a home match. Moreover, an away upset is also possible. We lost to Portugal 1-2 in an away 2022 World Cup qualifier, but our national team had been leading in the 88th minute.

Hungary

The last time Hungary played at the World Cup was in 1986, when 1xBet football didn’t exist yet, but that statistic shouldn’t comfort the Irish. Unlike us, Hungary have played at the last three Euros.

We know the names of Dominik Szoboszlai, Willi Orbán and Milos Kerkez very well. To beat the Hungarians, our players have to show their will to win. Especially since Ireland will play against the Magyars at key moments of the qualification: on September 6 at home in round 1 and on November 16 away in the last match.

Armenia

This team is well known in Ireland – after all, we played against Armenia in the 2022 Nations League: a 0-1 away defeat and a 3-2 victory at home.

The Armenia national team has never made it to major tournaments. It’s very dependent on the mood: if the Armenians are in high spirits, they fight tooth and nail to get the necessary result. If they aren’t, they may lose with a big goal difference. For Ireland, it’s crucial to gain 6 points in the matches against Armenia – without that it will be difficult to get into the group’s top 2. The Boys in Green managed to beat Armenia in both Euro 2012 qualifiers, and eventually Ireland did participate in the tournament.

Support the Republic of Ireland national football team in the 2026 World Cup qualification with 1xBet Ireland!

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