Rep of Ireland’s World Cup Hopes On The Line Ahead of Final Two Qualifiers

The Rep of Ireland face Portugal and Hungary in their final 2 World Cup qualifiers this week, knowing 2 positive results are needed to give them any chance of qualifying for next summer’s World Cup.

In a qualifying campaign that only began in September, the men in green will finish up with a home match against Portugal in a sold-out Aviva Stadium on Thursday, November 13th, before travelling to Hungary for what could be the group-defining match on November 16th.

The Group So Far

Heimir Hallgrimsson and his charges began their World Cup qualifying campaign with renewed optimism following some positive results earlier in 2025. Their first match against Hungary started in disastrous circumstances, however, with the away side taking a 2-0 lead into the half-time break. Evan Ferguson pulled a goal back early in the 2nd-half before Roland Sallai inexplicably got himself sent off. That red card gave the Irish hope, and they finally managed to level the match with a 93rd-minute equaliser from Adam Idah.

After a comeback draw against Hungary, the Rep of Ireland travelled next to Yerevan to take on the group’s expected whipping boys, Armenia. Hallgrimsson and his men went into that game confident of picking up a win to give them a solid start to their quick-fire qualifying campaign. Instead, what happened was one of the worst nights in modern Irish football history. Ireland were outplayed and suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to the side ranked 105th in the FIFA rankings.

That loss in Armenia seemed to have eroded much of the goodwill and confidence in the team from many Irish fans as they stared down the barrel of a daunting trip to Lisbon to face group heavyweights Portugal during the October international break.

Fans travelled and watched with little hope as Ireland took on the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva and Vitinha, but unexpectedly, what the fans got was a performance of pride and solid defensive football from the Irish team. A late Ruben Neves header was all that separated the two teams on the night, with Ireland just minutes from claiming a famous draw in Lisbon. That performance seemed to earn the players some respect once more, and fans were expectant as the team took on Armenia in the home tie in Dublin.

Another poor display was what fans were treated to, however, with Evan Ferguson’s 70th-minute header earning Ireland a 1-0 win. The team’s poor showing was all the more surprising given the Armenians played the majority of the 2nd half with only 10 men.

Despite another poor showing, that win has at least given the men in green a chance of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup as we look ahead to a crunch week against Portugal and Hungary.

What Ireland Must Do to Qualify

It’s simple. If Ireland win their final 2 matches, they will earn 2nd spot in the group and qualify for the playoffs next March. That’s easy, right?

Unfortunately the team’s last 2 matches are at home against Portugal, ranked 5th in the world, and away to Hungary, ranked 37th in the world. Ireland are currently 62nd on the ranking list, putting into context the challenge that awaits Heimir Hallgrimsson and his team.

Before Ireland take on Portugal, Hungary will have already faced Armenia, with the result in that match a key driver in what Ireland will have to do over the next 2 matches.

If Hungary beat Armenia in Yerevan, then Ireland will have to get at least a point from the Portugal match and a win in Hungary to qualify. If Hungary lose to Armenia and Ireland lose to Portugal, a win in Hungary will see Ireland claim 2nd place. If Hungary lose or draw in Armenia, and Ireland manage to beat Portugal, Ireland will only have to avoid defeat in Hungary to finish 2nd.

Team News

Ahead of what are the 2 most important matches of his reign so far, Heimir Hallgrimsson could have done with having a fully fit squad to choose from. Instead, the boss goes into the Portugal match without 3 players that started in both of the October qualifiers.

Evan Ferguson, who has scored 3 of Ireland’s 4 qualifying goals, has been ruled out of the Portugal match, while Ryan Manning and Jayson Molumby are both suspended for the clash.

Ireland are already missing Jason Knight, Sammie Szmodics, Robbie Brady and Callum O’Dowda, which means Celtic’s Johnny Kenny and New York City’s Kevin O’Toole have been drafted in and could earn their international debuts.

Conclusion

Can Ireland secure the results they need to earn a playoff spot next March? Results and performances so far would suggest not, but we live in hope that the men in green can do something spectacular and put the side one step closer to qualifying for their first World Cup since 2002.

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