Republic of Ireland Set to Learn 2026 World Cup Qualifying Fate
The Republic of Ireland will discover their opponents in the 2026 World Cup qualifying tournament this Friday. The qualifying draw ceremony is scheduled for 11am at UEFA headquarters in Zurich.
With the 2026 World Cup set to expand to 48 teams, the qualifying journey will be a test of Irish resilience. While the tournament expansion might seem favorable, automatic qualification for host nations Canada, Mexico, and the United States leaves Ireland with a challenging path ahead.
Key Details:
When and Where? Friday at 11am at UEFA headquarters in Zurich
Where to Watch? The draw will be live on RTÉ Player and the RTÉ News channel
The Qualifying Format: A New Era
The expanded 2026 World Cup features 12 groups of either four or five teams. The 12 group winners will automatically qualify for the tournament. A further four spots will be decided through a 16-team play-off involving the 12 group runners-up and the four best-ranked UEFA Nations League sides who didn’t place in the top two of their qualifying groups.
Who Could Ireland Face?
Ireland is seeded in Pot 3 for the draw, based on UEFA rankings. Potential opponents include:
Pot 1: France, Spain, England, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Germany, Croatia, Switzerland, Denmark, Austria
Pot 2: Ukraine, Sweden, Turkey, Wales, Hungary, Serbia, Poland, Romania, Greece, Slovakia, Czechia, Norway
Pot 3: (This is where Ireland sits)
Pot 4: Bulgaria, Luxembourg, Belarus, Kosovo, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Estonia, Cyprus, Faroe Islands, Latvia, Lithuania.
Pot 5: Moldova, Malta, Andorra, Gibraltar, Liechtenstein, San Marino
Unexpected Twists and Turns
The qualifying procedure throws up several potential complications:
- Ireland’s participation in the March Nations League promotion/relegation play-offs (against Bulgaria over two legs) could dictate group size. A group of five can only hold one Nations League finals participant or one Nations League relegation play-off participant.
- Due to these restrictions, Ireland is likely to be placed in a group of four.
- The involvement of several unknowns in the draw, such as Nations League quarter-final winners/losers, adds another layer of complexity.
- Traveling to Kazakhstan might also pose challenges for Ireland due to logistical concerns.
When Will the Games Take Place?
Matches will commence in March (five-team groups) and September (four-team groups).
Players can expect a dynamic schedule with matches confirmed throughout September, October, November, and possibly June.
Are You Ready for the Road Ahead?
Follow all the action and updates as Ireland embarks on this exciting journey to reach the 2026 World Cup.