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FourFourTwo
FourFourTwo
Sport
Peter Fitzpatrick

If Ireland are to qualify for the World Cup, ghosts of the past will have to be banished

Hungary , Hungary - 16 November 2025; Troy Parrott, left, and Seamus Coleman of Republic of Ireland celebrate after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F Qualifier match between Hungary and Republic of Ireland at Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo By Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images).

Ireland’s remarkable wins over Portugal and Hungary were among the stories of an incredible international break – and booked the Boys in Green an unlikely place in the World Cup play-offs.

Thursday’s draw saw the Boys in Green pitted against Czech Republic on March 26 before a potential final date with either Denmark or North Macedonia five days later. Crucially, if they get past the Czechs, they will play in Dublin.

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