The Ireland Defence Forces will travel to the Netherlands for CISM European Championship games that could lead them to securing a spot in the 2027 World Games.

Richie Barber’s team are hoping to do enough to reach the 2027 CISM Military World Games – which involves over 10,000 athletes across 40 different sports – that takes place in North Carolina, United States in June 2027. 

In order to advance to their fourth World Games, Ireland need to make it out of Group B  where they will face Armenia, Germany and Spain. They will play three games in quick succession across four days in Veldhoven.

If Ireland finish either first or second in their group, they then need to win their Play-Off game on Friday, March 27th – where their opponent will come from Group A, which consists of Cyprus, France, Luxembourg and Netherlands.

Barber, who has been leading the team for eight years, is upbeat about their chances even though he knows that Ireland will face difficult opposition.

“We have a really strong group of dedicated players and it was a really difficult decision in picking the final squad. We have tried to prepare for the heavy load that will be in the tournament through excellent preparation and work by our strength & conditioning and medical teams with players having been on specific programmes since January and tracking loads and readinesses on the RYPT app through support from the FAI,” said Barber.

“I’d like to thank the FAI for their continued support to the team and the development of football as a whole in the Defence Forces. We have not hidden in the build up and have developed two very distinct systems of play and focused heavily on our transitions, which are really coming together. I believe we are in a really place heading over for these games.

“We’re under no illusion just how difficult these games will be as some of the teams will have professional players available to them. But the pride of representing our country and the opportunity of going to another World Games will ensure that we are ready to go.”

The Ireland squad had two games at the tail-end of 2025 – losing narrowly to France and drawing with the UK Armed Forces – and have played five times already this year, including a run-out against SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division side Bohemians.

In September, Ireland will compete in the Kentish Cup in France for the first time. A historic competition that was established after World War I, they will play against France, Netherlands and the UK.

Before then though, Ireland will compete in the European Championship fixtures knowing that a place in the World Games can be achieved. They have twice reached the Quarter-Finals of the World Games, in 2007 and 2019, while also competing in 2017. Now it’s all about trying to get back there for a fourth time.

Defence Forces Squad
Goalkeepers: Shane Sherlock (Leeds), Eric Cumberton (Tolka Rovers).
Defenders: Chris Kenny (Shamrock Rovers), Joe Manley (Home Farm), Sam McGowan (St Mochta’s), Gerard Hayes (Freebooters), Aidan Friel (Bangor Celtic), Craig Doran (Ballymun), Stephen Kelly (Clonmel Town), Cillian O’Connor (Malahide United).
Midfielders: Alex O’Callaghan (Bangor Celtic), Brandon Daly (Finglas United), Luke Parke (Letterkenny Rovers), Ian Lordan (Grattan), Leon Hogan (Tolka Rovers), Dale Loughnane (Peake Villa).
Forwards: Ronan Kerin (Avenue Celtic), Callum Lynch (Ballyjamesduff Celtic), Muhammed Alharati (Sacred Heart).

Staff
Manager: Richie Barber 
Assistant Manager: Eddie Kenny
Coach / Analyst: Darren Kelly
Goalkeeping Coach: John Deegan 
Set-Piece Coach: Dave Long 
Operations: Collie O’Connor 
Medical: Lloyd Murphy, Alan Kearns 
Strength & Conditioning: Gavin Holligan, Ben Houston
Officials: Jason Merrigan, Pat Roche
Nutrition: Tommy Keating

Fixtures
2026 CISM European Championship
Group B
Monday, March 23rd | Ireland v Armenia, RKVVO, Veldhoven, Netherlands, KO 10:00
Tuesday, March 24th | Ireland v Germany, RKVVO, Veldhoven, Netherlands, KO 10:00
Thursday, March 26th | Ireland v Spain, RKVVO, Veldhoven, Netherlands, KO 10:00