The Republic of Ireland last qualified for a World Cup in 2002. That is 24 years, nearly a generation. On Thursday 26 March in Prague, that wait could begin to end, or it could be extended once more. A single match, at the Fortuna Arena, against a Czechia side that has won its last three home competitive fixtures against Ireland.
The stakes could scarcely be higher.
Competition Format
A single-leg play-off semi-final at 19:45 GMT. If level after 90 minutes, extra time followed by penalties. The winner faces the Denmark/North Macedonia winner in the final on 31 March. That final winner qualifies directly for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
The Journey Here
Ireland’s qualifying campaign for this play-off will be remembered for a long time regardless of what happens on Thursday. The decisive moment came in Budapest on 16 November 2025 — Hungary 2-3 Republic of Ireland, with Troy Parrott completing a hat-trick in the 96th minute to seal a play-off place. Earlier in the campaign, Parrott had scored both goals in a 2-0 win over Portugal at home. For a nation that has endured considerable international heartache over the past two decades, these were genuine moments of sporting joy.
Manager Heimir Hallgrímsson, who has had his contract extended through to Euro 2028, arrives in Prague with a group that is simultaneously inspired and depleted. Evan Ferguson (Roma) — Ireland’s most naturally gifted forward — misses the play-off entirely following ankle surgery. Gavin Bazunu is unavailable. Liam Scales, who would have been a defensive option, is suspended for this specific match. Josh Cullen, out for the season with a serious knee injury, will not be in the squad even if Ireland make the World Cup.
The 24-man squad does include Troy Parrott and Adam Idah up front — the pairing that will need to do the heavy lifting.
Republic of Ireland
In qualifying, Ireland demonstrated two qualities that make them dangerous in a single-leg format: the ability to score goals when it matters most, and a resilience that saw them recover from adversity to earn results. Parrott’s hat-trick winner in stoppage time in Budapest is the defining image of this campaign.
The concern for Thursday is the availability of key defensive figures. Without Scales suspended and Bazunu in goal, there is less defensive experience than Hallgrímsson would ideally want for an away match in Prague. The Irish midfield, without Cullen’s control, will need to impose themselves on a Czech side that is ranked 16 places above them (43rd vs 59th by FIFA).
Czechia
Miroslav Koubek’s side qualified for the play-offs by finishing second in Group L behind Croatia. Their record (W4 D1 L2) is solid rather than spectacular, a 2-1 loss to Faroe Islands away suggests vulnerability against organised opponents who close them down effectively.
Patrik Schick of Bayer Leverkusen leads their attack, having recovered from an injury doubt. His quality in the final third, technical ability, clinical finishing, makes him one of the most dangerous forwards in this play-off round. Tomáš Souček (West Ham) is the midfield captain and provides physical presence and goal threat. Pavel Šulc (Lyon) adds creative quality.
Crucially: Czechia have won their last three home competitive games against the Republic of Ireland. Winning in Prague has been an elusive target for Irish sides for years.
Lean
This is genuinely difficult to call. Ireland’s form in the decisive qualifying moments was outstanding; Parrott’s quality under pressure has been remarkable. But this match takes place on Czech soil, in a stadium that has historically been difficult for Ireland, against a better-ranked opponent.
The Irish defensive absences are a concern, Czechia’s strength in the final third means Ireland may need to score, not just defend. If Parrott and Idah can replicate the creativity and clinical finishing of the qualifying campaign’s best moments, Ireland have the quality to progress.
Watch the midfield battle. If Ireland can limit Souček’s influence and deny Šulc space to turn, they reduce Czechia’s most dangerous supply lines. The first goal in a single-leg, single-chance tie is everything.
Statistics sourced from UEFA.com, FAI.ie, RTÉ, Sky Sports, Irish Times, Balls.ie, Wikipedia (2026 FIFA World Cup qualification — UEFA second round), and FIFA.com. Data correct at time of writing.
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