A new World Cup qualifying campaign approaches, with it comes fresh hope and opportunity. Drawn into a group alongside heavyweights Portugal, Hungary and Armenia, the path presents challenges but also reasons to be hopeful. There's a growing belief that the Boys in Green can navigate these waters and stake a serious claim for a coveted qualification spot.  

Let's have a look at the opposition and what awaits Ireland in the FIFA 26 World Cup qualification campaign: 

Team: Portugal 
World Ranking: 7th 
Form (Last Five Games): WWWLD  
Captain: Cristiano Ronaldo  
Key Player: Bruno Fernandes  
Last competitive match v Ireland: 0-0, Aviva Stadium, 11/11/2021. Ireland more than competed and arguably should have won with Will Keane’s late goal unfairly ruled out. 

Insight: While Portugal boast an array of world-class talent, Ireland's disciplined and spirited performance in Faro and in the Aviva Stadium in 2021 in the last competitive matches against Portugal proved we can more than match them. We pushed them to their absolute limits in Faro and should have won, whilst, under floodlights with a passionate Aviva home crowd, it will be a place they won’t relish visiting again. Heimir Hallgrímsson’s organisation will be key with the aim to be able to frustrate top sides and mean that points against the group favourites is certainly the aim. Home support is that final home match will be key. 

Team: Hungary 
World Ranking: 37th 
Form (Last Five Games): WLLLD 
Captain: Dominik Szoboszlai 
Key Player: Willi Orbán  
Last Time Against Ireland: 2-1 W, Aviva Stadium, 05/06/2024. Troy Parrott’s late strike secured an impressive friendly win. 

Insight: Hungary are a well-drilled, organised unit who have enjoyed a resurgence in recent years. Nullifying the creative threat of Szoboszlai will be a key focus, but our collective work rate and resilient defence are more than capable of achieving that. The victory at the Aviva Stadium last year shows that Ireland will be more than a match for Hungary and that first game of the campaign in September against the Magyars will be key in our efforts to qualify. Saturday, under the lights, at the Aviva Stadium, first game of the campaign, it will be an incredible occasion.  

Team: Armenia 
World Ranking: 102nd 
Form (Last Five Games): DLLLW 
Captain: Varazdat Haroyan
Key Player: Eduard Spertsyan  
Last Time Against Ireland: 3-2 W, Aviva Stadium, 27/09/2022. Robbie Brady’s late penalty secured an important three points for Ireland 

Insight: Armenia can be a tricky away trip which was showcased in our last visit to Yerevan where the June window and humid conditions caught Ireland out in 2022 but Ireland are much better placed in 2025 than in 2022 and should have enough in the squad to find a way past Armenia both home and away. Ireland recorded back-to-back wins over Armenia in the 2012 qualifying campaign, both by narrow margins, and if Ireland are to be successful in qualification, six points from the two matches will be key in achieving that.  

The Road Ahead: The path to World Cup qualification is never straightforward, but the narrative for Ireland is one of optimism. With a passionate home crowd transforming the Aviva Stadium into a fortress, a squad that is growing in confidence and a clear tactical approach, Ireland are aiming for qualification and with the side currently unbeaten in 2025, there is clear confidence going into the challenge.