The Republic of Ireland's potential path to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is now clear following the official draw for the European play-offs. Heimir Hallgrimsson's squad, riding high after a dramatic final group game, now know the exact sequence of matches that stands between them and a first World Cup finals appearance in 24 years.
The Dramatic Route to the Play-Offs
Ireland's place in the perilous play-off round was secured in stunning fashion. A last-gasp winner from Troy Parrott against Hungary in Budapest propelled the team to a second-place finish in their qualifying group, behind winners Portugal. That crucial victory kept the dream alive, placing Ireland among the final 16 European nations fighting for just four coveted spots at the expanded 2026 tournament, to be held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The Play-Off Draw: A Tough But Navigable Path
The draw, conducted on Thursday, placed Ireland in Pot 3 alongside nations like Albania and Bosnia-Herzegovina. They have been drawn in Path D of the knockout stage. The format consists of single-leg semi-finals and finals, with all matches taking place in March next year.
The Republic of Ireland will travel to face Czechia in their semi-final on 26 March 2026. Should they emerge victorious, they would earn the right to host the Path D final just five days later.
That decisive match on 31 March would be against the winner of the other semi-final in their path, which pits Denmark against North Macedonia. Securing a home fixture for the final could provide a significant advantage for Hallgrimsson's side.
Full European Play-Off Draw
The complete draw for the UEFA second round of qualification is as follows:
- Path A: Italy v Northern Ireland; Wales v Bosnia and Herzegovina (home final).
- Path B: Ukraine v Sweden (home final); Poland v Albania.
- Path C: Turkey v Romania; Slovakia v Kosovo (home final).
- Path D: Denmark v North Macedonia; Czechia v Republic of Ireland (home final).
Key Dates and the Final Prize
The stakes for these March encounters could not be higher. The play-offs follow the World Cup group stage draw, which is scheduled for 5 December 2025 at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC. The event, expected to be attended by US President Donald Trump, will begin at 5pm GMT.
For Ireland, the mission is simple but formidable: win two knockout matches in quick succession next spring. The reward would be an end to a long wait, stretching back to the 2002 tournament, and a place on the global stage in North America. The journey, sparked by Parrott's moment of magic in Budapest, now has a defined and challenging roadmap.
