Fifa World Cup

Sign in

FIFA WORLD CUP

<p class="contextmenu internal_Caption">UP IN ARMS: Inspirational skipper Seamus Coleman at the Fortuna Arena yesterday. He wants the players’ to tap into the emotion of the moment. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile</p>

S soccer

Three selection posers for Heimir as Czechs fear Parrott

Midfield is the toughest call to detect. Jayson Molumby’s status as a mainstay in the last window would ordinarily guarantee him the berth but the form of returning Alan Browne is worth of consideration

<p>STEELY FOCUS: Ireland leader Seamus Coleman. Pic: Ben Brady/Inpho</p>

sport

Seamus Coleman not done yet as Irish talisman sets the tone

<p>Troy Parrott and Séamus Coleman celebrate after defeating Hungary in the World Cup qualifier in Budapest in November. Picture: Inpho/Ryan Byrne</p>

comment-analysis

I was too young to appreciate Ireland at the last World Cup. Now I'm dreaming again

FBL-WC-2026-TROPHY-TOUR

soccer

WC Playoff previews: Italy on edge, Sweden shorn of stars and another chance for Lewandowski

Czechia Press Conference and Training - Fortuna Arena - Wednesday March 25th

soccer

What the Czechs think of Ireland: 'To be honest, I was surprised they won against Portugal and Hungary'

'They never saw Italia 90': Irish fans descend on Prague full of hope

munster

'They never saw Italia 90': Irish fans descend on Prague full of hope

LATEST WORLD CUP ARTICLES

World Cup Playoff Podcast: Selection dilemmas and Czech threats

World Cup Playoff Podcast: Selection dilemmas and Czech threats

Brendan O'Brien and John Fallon join us from the match venue to preview Thursday evening's World Cup playoff between Ireland and the Czechs.

Listen | Wed, 25 Mar, 2026

Republic of Ireland Men's Training Session

'Have you got any Irish in ya?': Harvey Vale's road to the Ireland national team

Vale’s emergence at this late stage of the World Cup qualifying cycle, and the inclusion of the uncapped Bosun Lawal who is being tipped for a significant role in the playoff against Czechia on Thursday, isn’t unique.

Wed, 25 Mar, 2026

Czechia Press Conference and Training - Fortuna Arena - Wednesday March 25th

'Full-fat Soucek can help Czechia beat Ireland': Czech manager Koubek talks up under-fire veteran

Soucek has been a constant in the side for nine years but was stripped of the captaincy after being held responsible by his federation for the team’s failure to applaud fans after beating Gibraltar 6-0 in November

Wed, 25 Mar, 2026

Portugal v Republic of Ireland - FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier

'It’s massive having Caoimhín for penalties': Hallgrímsson hails Cork man Kelleher's influence

Kelleher has saved three Premier League penalties since moving from Liverpool at the start of the season. He also denied Cristiano Ronaldo from the spot in Ireland’s visit to Portugal last October.

Wed, 25 Mar, 2026

20 shirts in 10 years: Ireland leads the way in bringing out new football kits

20 shirts in 10 years: Ireland leads the way in bringing out new football kits

In the past 10 years, Ireland have introduced nearly as many new outfield shirts (20) as Hungary and this week's play-off opponents Czechia combined (21)

Wed, 25 Mar, 2026

Troy wonder: 'I make sure to tell everyone in work I marked him, they say I never shut up about it'

S Troy wonder: 'I make sure to tell everyone in work I marked him, they say I never shut up about it'

From school finals heroics to international drama, coaches and scouts recall the early promise behind Ireland striker’s rise

Wed, 25 Mar, 2026

Sean Nolan, Jack Nolan and Dan Nolan 24/3/2026

Letter from Prague: 'For anyone my age this is the biggest game of our lives'

Our government estimates that there might be 1,000 of its citizens living in Czechia. This promises to be the night of their lives.

Wed, 25 Mar, 2026

Republic of Ireland Men's Training Session

Welcome to Troy Town: Parrott’s Alkmaar revival gives him options

'My game has really come on since I moved to the Netherlands," said Parrott. 'All I’ve ever wanted was regular games. I knew things would work out for me once that happened.'

Wed, 25 Mar, 2026

Harvey Vale 23/3/2026

Glenn Whelan: 'Vale will bring something different that Ireland don't have'

The 91-time capped former midfielder believes the ex-Chelsea starlet can be Ireland’s secret weapon against Czechia in Prague tomorrow and won’t be fazed by the magnitude of the occasion

Wed, 25 Mar, 2026

World Cup playoff podcast: The view from the Czechs ahead of Ireland showdown

World Cup playoff podcast: The view from the Czechs ahead of Ireland showdown

Brendan O'Brien, in Prague, speaks to journalist Jonas Bartos about the mood around the Czechia squad, how they rate Ireland and what we can expect on Thursday night.

Listen | Tue, 24 Mar, 2026

Republic of Ireland Men's Training Session and Media Conference

Czechia v Ireland: Kick-off time, TV details, team news and everything you need to know

Coverage begins on RTÉ 2 from 7pm. Or you could follow the action with the Examiner Sport liveblog

Tue, 24 Mar, 2026

Republic of Ireland Men's Training Session and Media Conference

John Egan: Ireland's veterans not letting younger players take foot off the pedal

Egan said Ireland's defeat to Portugal in World Cup qualifying was a "turning point" for the team

Tue, 24 Mar, 2026

Evening view of the Charles Bridge on the Vltava River in the historic center of the capital city of Prague - Czech Republic

Watch: Trams, tickets and Czech beer — the Irish Examiner's travel tips for Irish fans in Prague

As thousands of Ireland fans head east for Ireland's crunch World Cup playoff, John Fallon has the best information on transport and hotels to Prague's best bars.

Tue, 24 Mar, 2026

Republic of Ireland Men's Training Session and Media Conference

John O'Shea: Troy Parrott 'reaping the rewards of the practice and dedication'

Fit and ready after coming through club action at the weekend, Parrott will be the focus of Ireland's attack against Czechia in Prague

Tue, 24 Mar, 2026

Republic of Ireland Men's Training Session and Media Conference

Nathan Collins: Ireland prepared to use 'dark arts' to silence Czechia crowd

The Ireland captain said his side can cope in Prague without key midfielder Josh Cullen

Tue, 24 Mar, 2026

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Liverpool - Premier League - Molineux

Wolves' Ladislav Krejčí named new Czechia captain for Ireland battle

Tomás Soucek has been stripped permanently of the captaincy. The West Ham United midfielder was disciplined by the Czechia FA after his team failed to applaud their fans following the facile 6-0 win over Gibraltar in November.

Mon, 23 Mar, 2026

FBL-FRA-LIGUE1-LYON-NICE

'I'm in good physical shape,' Czechia star Sulc targets Ireland in playoff

The Lyon man was considered a big doubt for the playoff but he says he's ready for the Irish'.

Mon, 23 Mar, 2026

Republic of Ireland Press Conference and Training Session

Alan Browne back and buzzing to end Ireland underachievment

Alan Browne had been a constant in the Ireland squad for seven years, but had endured an absence of 18 months

Mon, 23 Mar, 2026

Hungary v Republic of Ireland - FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier

'Parrott cannot score if he doesn't have the ball' - Czechia plan to curb Troy's impact

Parrott’s goal and assist in AZ Alkmaar’s 4-0 Conference League destruction of Sparta Prague underlined why the Czechia boss has branded the Ireland striker a killer.

Fri, 20 Mar, 2026

Heimir Hallgrimsson Signs New Contract as Republic of Ireland Head Coach

S Comment: Hallgrimsson's greatest strength is ability to greet disaster and elation with same passive front

Setting the tone in Prague will be an Icelandic gaffer whose demeanour could hardly be more different to the cliched depictions of Irish sides that traded for so long on emotion

Thu, 19 Mar, 2026

World Cup play-off podcast: Heimir shows hand for Prague and pens contract extension

World Cup play-off podcast: Heimir shows hand for Prague and pens contract extension

Brendan O'Brien and John Fallon react to the news that the Boys in Green manager is staying on and set up a huge week for Irish football.

Listen | Thu, 19 Mar, 2026

Heimir Hallgrimsson Signs New Contract as Republic of Ireland Head Coach

Heimir Hallgrimsson confirms contract extension for Euro 2028 campaign

Hallgrimsson confirmed the news on Thursday in a press conference announcing a 25-man squad for next Thursday’s World Cup play-off away to Czechia.

Thu, 19 Mar, 2026

Troy Parrott and Séamus Coleman celebrate after the match 16/11/2025

Pubs may be allowed open early for World Cup matches if Ireland qualifies

Helen McEntee stresses that supporting Irish sportsmen who are 'doing fantastic work and achieving so much' is 'not just about having the craic'

Mon, 16 Mar, 2026

Gianni Infantino file photo

'Under no circumstances can we participate' - Iran to boycott World Cup over US attacks

The country's sports minister said the two wars initiated against it by Israel and the US plus the assassination of leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei means they "cannot have...a presence" this summer

Wed, 11 Mar, 2026

2026 FIFA World Cup Draw

Donald Trump says Iran ‘welcome’ to compete at World Cup – Gianni Infantino

US president Donald Trump has assured FIFA that Iran are “welcome” to compete at this summer’s World Cup, according to Gianni Infantino.

Wed, 11 Mar, 2026

Sport

Newsletter

Latest news from the world of sport, along with the best in opinion from our outstanding team of sports writers. and reporters