The Republic of Ireland start their FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign against Hungary at the Aviva Stadium this Saturday, September 6th, with kick-off at 7:45pm.

The hotly anticipated fixture will be played in front of a sold-out crowd, as Ireland look to continue their unbeaten form this year against a strong Hungarian side before travelling to Armenia on Tuesday.

Ireland will go into the game full of confidence, having defeated the Hungarians on their last visit to the Aviva Stadium in 2024, when a last-minute Troy Parrott goal secured a 2-1 victory in an international friendly.

Match Details

• Fixture: Republic of Ireland v Hungary

• Date: Saturday, September 6th

• Kick-off: 7:45 PM

• Venue: Aviva Stadium

• TV: RTÉ

• Tickets: Sold Out

Match Officials

• Referee: Harm Osmers (GER)

• Assistant Referees: Lasse Koslowski & Eduard Beitinger (GER)

• Fourth Official: Daniel Schlager (GER)

• Video Assistant Referee: Benjamin Brand (GER)

• Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Katrin Rafalski (GER)

Team News

Heimir Hallgrímsson has a full squad to choose from for the qualifier. Liam Scales has recovered from a knock sustained in action for Celtic last weekend and is in contention for the match. All 23 players trained in the final session at the FAI National Training Centre on Friday.

Heimir Hallgrímsson on the squad's confidence:

"The energy is coming. I think more and more leaders are emerging, and I think that has been down to consistent messages to the players. I feel there are more and more players now who are kind of growing, and that brings energy, leadership and confidence. The quality in this team is big, it’s bigger than when I had Iceland, and we achieved what we did. The team building thing is what gives me confidence."

Captain Nathan Collins on the group's maturity:

“I think there's been spells where we look like a really good team, but it's not just fully clicked for us. The big thing is that people are stepping into roles now, people are stepping up to the plate, and driving things in training, driving things in matches. They’re standing up to things and being a big voice in the dressing room. I think that pushes things a lot more.”

Key Stats | Republic of Ireland v Hungary

• The Republic of Ireland have won three of their last five games against Hungary (D2), having won none of their first eight against them (D4 L4).

• Hungary have lost their last two away visits to the Republic of Ireland, losing in 1989 and 2024. Their last win here was in June 1969 in a World Cup qualifier.

• The Republic of Ireland have only lost their first qualifier in one of their previous 12 campaigns (W7 D4), though it was in their last one for the 2022 World Cup (a 3-2 loss to Serbia).

• Hungary are unbeaten in their last 11 qualifying matches for major tournaments (W7 D4) since a 1-0 defeat to Albania in October 2021.

• Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson won seven of his 10 qualifiers when managing Iceland for the 2018 World Cup, leading them to the tournament by finishing 1st in their group.

Republic of Ireland Squad - Hungary & Armenia

• Goalkeepers: Caoimhín Kelleher (Liverpool), 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).

• 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), Sammie Szmodics (Ipswich Town), Chiedozie Ogbene (Ipswich Town), Kasey McAteer (Ipswich Town), Mikey Johnston (West Bromwich Albion), Johnny Kenny (Celtic).

Upcoming September Fixtures

• 06/09: Republic of Ireland v Hungary, Aviva Stadium, 7:45 PM

• 09/09: Armenia v Republic of Ireland, Republican Stadium, 5:00 PM (IST)