The Republic of Ireland are preparing for a vital FIFA World Cup qualifier against Portugal tomorrow evening at the Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon.

Heimir Hallgrímsson’s side will be looking for a big performance as they aim to get their qualification campaign back on track following the disappointment of the Armenia result in Yerevan. The team will be backed by a fantastic travelling support of over 2,700 Irish fans who have made the journey to the Iberian peninsula.

The Ireland squad held their final training session at the match stadium this morning ahead of the game, which kicks off at 7:45pm tomorrow night.

Match Details

Fixture: Portugal v Republic of Ireland
Competition: FIFA World Cup 26 Qualifying
Date: Saturday, October 11
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Location: Estádio José Alvalade
TV: RTE

Match Officials

Referee: Ivan Kružliak (SVK)
Assistant Referee 1: Branislav Hancko (SVK)
Assistant Referee 2: Jan Pozor (SVK)
Fourth Official: Peter Kralović (SVK)
Video Assistant Referee: Clay Ruperti (NED)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Richard Martens (NED)

Team News

Heimir Hallgrímsson called in defender Jimmy Dunne to the squad who replaces Liam Scales for the Portugal match due to a family bereavement. Liam Scales will return to the squad for the Armenia fixture. All other players have travelled to Lisbon and trained this morning. 

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

"We go for this match, like every match, to try to get something from it. We have a game plan that we think is going to work. We’ll see tomorrow if that materialises. But obviously if you look at the table, we need at least minimum three points from this camp.

"And for obvious reasons, when you look at it, it’s probably the Armenia game that everybody is saying, ‘OK, we can have a good performance and a better performance than in Armenia and get three points there’. We are trying to focus on this one and try to get the maximum we can from this match.

"Everybody likes to have this opportunity that we have tomorrow to play against one of the best teams in the world and to correct what went wrong. That's it."

“Whether there will be personnel changes, I think every true professional likes an opportunity like we have tomorrow.

MD-1 Press Conference v Portugal | Striker Evan Ferguson

On playing at Roma: "It is a different way of football over there. He is big on playing through the strikers. It is just about the work you are doing every day and trying to improve."

On injury: "Yeah, I'm fine. Training all week. No problems, so all good. I just had a problem in the game before last, wasn't able to play in that game. But coming into camp and having some treatment, I'm all good."

Match Facts - Portugal v Republic of Ireland 

- Portugal are unbeaten in each of their six home games against Republic of Ireland (W5 D1), most recently winning 3-0 in a June 2024 friendly.
- Republic of Ireland have won just one of their last nine meetings with Portugal across all competitions (D3 L5), winning 1-0 in a February 2005 friendly thanks to an Andy O’Brien goal.
- Portugal have won just one of their last four competitive matches against opponents ranked outside of the top-50 in the FIFA Rankings (D2 L1) – this after winning 30 of 31 games prior (D1).  
- Republic of Ireland are winless in each of their last four matches (D3 L1), last going longer without victory in all competitions between November 2019 and March 2021 (run of 12).
- Portugal have won 18 of their last 21 World Cup qualifiers (D2 L1), scoring 3+ goals in 12 of those victories. Seleção haven’t started a qualifying campaign with three straight wins since 1965, in the lead up to the 1966 FIFA World Cup. 
- Republic of Ireland have lost just one of their last seven World Cup qualifying matches (W2 D4), but it did come last month away to Armenia. It was the Boys in Green’s first defeat to a nation ranked outside the top 100 of the FIFA rankings (105th) since October 2006, a 5-2 loss to Cyprus (103rd).
- Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 11 goals in his last 11 appearances for Portugal, netting in each of his last five (6 goals) – only twice before has he netted in six straight international outings, doing so in 2016/2017 (6) and 2019/20 (7). The 40-year-old has netted a brace in two of his last three games against Republic of Ireland.
- Evan Ferguson has scored in each of his last three competitive appearances for Republic of Ireland and could become the first player in the nation’s history to score in four consecutive outings (excluding friendlies).

Republic of Ireland Squad - Portugal

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

Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Jake O'Brien (Everton), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Dara O'Shea (Ipswich Town), Jimmy Dunne (QPR), John Egan (Hull City), Ryan Manning (Southampton), Will Ferry (Dundee United). 

Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Will Smallbone (Millwall), Jack Taylor (Ipswich Town), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Finn Azaz (Southampton).

Attackers: Evan Ferguson (AS Roma), Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar), Adam Idah (Swansea City), Mikey Johnston (West Bromwich Albion), Chiedozie Ogbene (Sheffield United), Festy Ebosele (İstanbul Başakşehir), Kasey McAteer (Ipswich Town).

Fixtures - FIFA World Cup 26 Qualifiers

11/10 - Portugal v Republic of Ireland, Estádio José Alvalade, 7.45pm
14/10 - Republic of Ireland v Armenia, Aviva Stadium, 7.45pm