Heimir Hallgrimsson’s Options Ahead of the Republic of Ireland’s Vital World Cup Playoff.

With the Rep of Ireland’s massive World Cup playoff match against Czechia now just a couple of weeks away, fans will be anxiously waiting to see what squad Heimir Hallgrimsson names for what could be 2 potentially massive games. Get through the Czechs in Prague on March 26th, and a potential final with either Denmark or North Macedonia in Dublin on March 31st awaits the Irish team.

The Irish side reached the playoffs with heroic victories over Portugal in Dublin and Hungary in Budapest, with Troy Parrott coming to the fore, hitting all 5 goals in the team’s 2-0 win over Portugal and their 3-2 last-gasp win over Hungary. Parrott has continued his fine form for his club AZ Alkmaar and hit his 30th goal of the season recently against Sparta Rotterdam.

Who else is in form for the Irish team, however, as we look ahead to that crucial playoff game at the end of March? Below we will take you through the options available to Hallgrimsson and who is playing for their club sides and who is fit or not.

Goalkeepers

Although there is no doubt about Caoimhin Kelleher being the team’s No. 1, there are some questions around who will take up the backup positions in this vital squad. Unfortunately for Gavin Bazunu, injury looks likely to rule him out of the squad, while Mark Travers has only played twice for Everton. Max O’Leary, capped once, has done well to come back from an ankle injury and is playing first-team football, albeit at a struggling West Brom side. Josh Keeley is another option for one of the two remaining keeper slots after Kelleher. The former St Pats keeper has been the Luton No. 1 for the duration of the season in League 1 and may be rewarded for his form with a place in the squad.

Options in Defence

As ever, we look to be in a good place with our centre back options ahead of this squad announcement. The first-choice trio from the Portugal and Hungary matches of Jake O’Brien, Dara O’Shea and Nathan Collins are all fit, although there are some concerns about the amount of first-team football Collins has been getting in the Premier League at Brentford recently. Andrew Omobamidele, who did not feature in any of the squads during the qualifiers, is back in form and playing regularly for Strasbourg in Ligue 1, so he must come into the reckoning, as will Celtic’s Liam Scales, who is regularly turning out for Celtic. Scales also did well in those last two qualifiers, so he will have some credit in the bank with the management team.

Our options at wing-back are less fruitful. Seamus Coleman, who was heroic in the two games in November, will surely play once again even though he has only featured once for Everton since the Hungary match. Matt Doherty is fit once again but is not a regular at Wolves. At left back or left wing back, Ryan Manning looks certain of his place in the squad, while Callum O’Dowda may return. Robbie Brady, a favourite of Hallgrimsson in the past, had looked to be on the way back just in time, but there are now doubts once more about his fitness.

What about midfield?

Josh Cullen is a huge loss, having been ruled out after picking up a cruciate injury at the end of 2025. In his absence Hallgrimsson will have to select a midfield from the likes of Jason Knight, Jayson Molumby, Jack Taylor, Conor Coventry and Finn Azaz. Knight missed the November games and will probably retake his place, with the other spot likely to be between Molumby, Taylor and Coventry. Coventry appears to be the most like-for-like replacement for Cullen and has won his place back in the Charlton team once more after a spell on the bench recently.

Azaz will play as the more advanced midfield option, either as a No. 10 or off the left cutting in, and fans will hope he can provide the thrust for Parrott as he did in Budapest.

Back Up For Parrott

Parrott will undoubtedly lead the line if fit, but who will play alongside him is perhaps up for debate. Injuries have already ruled out Evan Ferguson and Mikey Johnston, while Chiedozie Ogbene has struggled for game time at Sheffield United. Adam Idah has reputedly returned to training with Swansea but is still unlikely to feature at this stage, while Festy Ebosele is suspended for the Czechia match but would be eligible for a final if they got there.

Sinclair Armstrong and Johnny Kenny are players that could make the squad, while there may even be a recall for Derby County forward Sammie Szmodics. Szmodics hasn’t played in green since the opening World Cup qualifier against Hungary in Dublin, but with so many forward players out, maybe now is the time for the 30-year-old to grab his chance.

Possible Starting 11

• GK Caoimhin Kelleher
• RWB Seamus Coleman
• CB Jake O’Brien
• CB Nathan Collins
• CB Dara O’Shea
• LWB Ryan Manning
• CM Jason Knight
• CM Conor Coventry
• CAM Finn Azaz
• FW Chiedozie Ogbene
• FW Troy Parrott.

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