World Cup 2026 Playoffs – Czech Republic v Republic Of Ireland

Updates from the one leg semi-final as Ireland aim to make first World Cup since 2002

Winner will face either Denmark or North Macedonia in playoff final on 31st March

Team News (Starting XI)

Czech Republic: Kovar, Holes, Hranac, Krejci, Coufal, Provod, Darida, Jurasek, Schick, Chory, Sulc

Republic of Ireland: Kelleher, O’Brien, Collins, O’Shea, Coleman, Taylor, Molumby, Manning, Azaz, Ogbene, Parrott

Hello all! It seems like an eternity since Troy Parrot sent Republic of Ireland into the World Cup playoffs with a last second winner against Hungary but it was only last November. For the Irish fans the long wait is over and they are set to play Czech Republic tonight in the hopes they will be still standing to take on either Denmark or North Macedonia next week.

Ireland last tasted the World Cup in 2002 but they, and their hordes of Irish descendants in the US, will be hoping they can banish 24 painful years over the next week. We’ll find out soon with kick-off only 20 minutes away