Republic of Ireland are set to face Armenia in Yerevan on Tuesday, September 9th, with kick-off at 5pm (8pm local time) as they look to secure an important three points in their bid to qualify for the FIFA World Cup in 2026.

Buoyed by the spirited second-half fight-back against Hungary on Saturday night, Ireland go into the qualifier full of confidence as an Evan Ferguson strike and a brilliant last-minute header from Adam Idah secured a 2-2 draw. 

The draw on Saturday means Heimir Hallgrímsson's Ireland need to secure three points to keep their World Cup destiny in their own hands on Tuesday night, backed by 680+ amazing supporters who've made the long trip out to Armenia.

Match Details

Fixture: Armenia v Republic of Ireland 
Competition: FIFA World Cup 26 Qualifying
Date: Tuesday, September 9
Time: 5pm (8pm local time)
Location: Republican Stadium, Yerevan
TV: RTE

Match Officials

Referee: Goga Kikacheishvili (GEO)
Assistant Referee 1: David Akhvlediani (GEO)
Assistant Referee 2: Davit Gabisonia (GEO)
Fourth Official: Giorgi Kruashvili (GEO)
Video Assistant Referee: Dennis Higler (NED)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Richard Martens (NED)

Team News

Shamrock Rovers defender Josh Honohan has come into the squad to replace the injured Sammie Szmodics who didn't travel to Yerevan. Head Coach Heimir Hallgrímsson has reported no other injury concerns. 

MD-1 Press Conference v Armenia | Head Coach Heimir Hallgrímsson

"Reflecting on the last game, you can see it as the glass half-empty or the glass half-full. We will address some of the things we didn’t do well, but from the 30th minute, I think we more or less controlled the game and got into a good rhythm that increased until the end. We created a lot of good opportunities that we should have done better with, but it is a better problem to solve not scoring from many chances than not creating chances at all. A really good effort, really good character, that’s what we take from this game."

MD-1 Press Conference v Armenia | Midfielder Josh Cullen

"I think the group is experienced enough now through what we've been through over the last few years to understand that any game at this level can't be taken for granted, and we know we're going to have to be fully focused and ready to go tomorrow night. We're in a new era now, a new mindset as a team, and just looking forward to getting back out there and building on what was a positive second half the other night. The experiences we’ve been through as a group have helped us, and we know what we need to do to come here and get a result."

Match Facts - Armenia v Republic of Ireland

- Republic of Ireland have won three of their four internationals against Armenia, although the exception was their last away from home, losing 1-0 in the UEFA Nations League in June 2022.
- The last meeting between Armenia and Republic of Ireland saw the Boys in Green win 3-2 in the UEFA Nations League in September 2022. The five goals in that match were as many as there were in the first three matches between the two nations combined beforehand.
- Armenia have lost each of their last four home internationals, failing to score a single goal during those matches.
- Across all competitions, Republic of Ireland are unbeaten across their last five matches (W2 D3), their longest run since an eight-game undefeated spell between September 2021 and March 2022.
- After winning each of their three World Cup qualifying games in March 2021, Armenia have since failed to win any of their last eight games in the competition (D3 L5).
- Republic of Ireland are unbeaten across their last six World Cup qualifiers (W2 D4), winning each of their last two on the road by 3-0 scorelines. They haven’t won three WCQ fixtures in succession away from home since June 2001.
- Last time out vs Hungary, Evan Ferguson became the first player to score for Republic of Ireland whilst playing his club football in Italy (Roma) since Robbie Keane vs Netherlands in September 2000 (Inter Milan).
- Adam Idah scored off the bench last time out for Republic of Ireland, with each of the two instances of a substitute netting for the nation since June last year coming courtesy of the Swansea City striker.

Republic of Ireland Squad - Armenia

Goalkeepers: Caoimhín Kelleher (Brentford), Gavin Bazunu (Southampton), Mark Travers (Everton).

Defenders: Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Jake O'Brien (Everton), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Dara O'Shea (Ipswich Town), Jimmy Dunne (Queens Park Rangers), Bosun Lawal (Stoke City), Liam Scales (Celtic), Ryan Manning (Southampton), Josh Honohan (Shamrock Rovers).

Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Jack Taylor (Ipswich Town), Killian Phillips (St. Mirren).

Attackers: Evan Ferguson (AS Roma), Adam Idah (Celtic), Finn Azaz (Middlesbrough), Chiedozie Ogbene (Ipswich Town), Kasey McAteer (Ipswich Town), Mikey Johnston (West Bromwich Albion), Johnny Kenny (Celtic).

Result/Fixture - FIFA World Cup 26 Qualifying

06/09 - Republic of Ireland 2-2 Hungary, Aviva Stadium, 7.45pm
09/09 - Armenia v Republic of Ireland, Republican Stadium, 5pm (8pm local time)