FIFA WORLD CUP

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Czechia v Republic of Ireland - FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers Play-off Semi-Final
Czechia v Ireland: Four talking points after heartbreak in Prague
Ireland took a commanding 2-0 lead at the Fortuna Arena, but then the tide began to turn

Thu, 26 Mar, 2026

Heimir Hallgrímsson applauds fans after the game 26/3/2026
'Just pain, we only feel pain': Heimir Hallgrimsson gutted but vows Ireland will 'start again'
The Iceland native saw his side's campaign end in heartbreak after a penalty shootout loss in Prague. 

Thu, 26 Mar, 2026

Morten Hjulmand,Rasmus Hojlund
Playoff Wrap: Danes demolish North Macedonia, Gyokeres nets hat-trick to help Sweden progress
In the other playoff games, Poland came from behind to beat Albania 2-1 and reach the playoff finals, with Robert Lewandowski and Piotr Zielinski netting ‌second-half goals to set up a Path B decider away to Sweden on Tuesday

Thu, 26 Mar, 2026

Finn Azaz dejected after losing to the penalty shootout 26/3/2026
Without doubt, this World Cup play-off is one that got away for Ireland
The biggest show on earth remains half the world away for the Boys in Green after Ireland's heartbreaking defeat in Prague.

Thu, 26 Mar, 2026

Troy Parrott dejected after the match 26/3/2026
S World Cup slips from grasp but Ireland have finally found the finisher they've been waiting for
The history books will say that Troy Parrott’s efforts didn’t get Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side to the United States in the summer of 2026; but, boy, he made it an exciting ride – and turned his career, and Irish expectations, around in the process.

Thu, 26 Mar, 2026

Czechia v Republic of Ireland - FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers Play-off Semi-Final
Czechia v Ireland TV review: nervous pundits and selfies with Ronnie
The Boys in Green saw their campaign come to an end in Prague on Thursday night. 

Thu, 26 Mar, 2026

Nathan Collins dejected after the match 26/3/2026
Penalty pain again as Ireland World Cup road ends in Prague
Misses by Finn Azaz and Alan Browne proved costly after the Czechs recovered from 2-0 down. 

Thu, 26 Mar, 2026

Italy v Northern Ireland - FIFA World Cup 2026 Play-off Semi-Final
Northern Ireland's World Cup dream shattered by play-off defeat to Italy
Northern Ireland battled superbly against an Italy side under immense pressure to deliver qualification after two consecutive failures to reach a tournament they have won four times, but were undone by second-half goals from Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean

Thu, 26 Mar, 2026

Czechia v Republic of Ireland - FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers Play-off Semi-Final
Czechia v Ireland: World Cup road ends in despair after penalty shootout defeat
Czechia came from two down to defeat Ireland on penalties in the World Cup playoff. 

Thu, 26 Mar, 2026

A view of Ireland fans in the Old Town Square ahead of the match 26/3/2026
'We're pretty hopeful': Irish fans predict the Czechia v Ireland result
A win against Czechia would set up a playoff final against Denmark or North Macedonia with a spot in the summer's World Cup finals on the line 

Thu, 26 Mar, 2026

Watch: 'We're in the Czech end, say nothing' - Irish fans on World Cup hopes and ticket hunt
Watch: 'We're in the Czech end, say nothing' - Irish fans on World Cup hopes and ticket hunt
Brendan O'Brien is amongst the thousands of travelling Irish supporters in Prague.

Thu, 26 Mar, 2026

Czechia v Republic of Ireland - FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers Play-off Semi-Final
S Golden times for Irish sport – and the Irish abroad show the best version of ourselves
We’re spoiled, but all that success would add up to a banquet without a main course if the Republic of Ireland men’s senior team wasn’t able to bring something of its own to the table

Thu, 26 Mar, 2026

From schoolboy hat-trick to Hungary heroics — how Troy Parrott became Ireland’s clutch striker
S From schoolboy hat-trick to Hungary heroics — how Troy Parrott became Ireland’s clutch striker
From school finals heroics to international drama, coaches and scouts recall the early promise behind Ireland striker’s rise

Thu, 26 Mar, 2026

The Heimir Hallgrimsson interview: 'I’ve told them the future of Irish football is in their hands'
S The Heimir Hallgrimsson interview: 'I’ve told them the future of Irish football is in their hands'
Since November's Budapest bedlam, he's been far and away, but Hallgrimsson is locked and loaded now on next month's World Cup playoffs. In a rare one-on-one interview, he sat down with Irish Examiner football correspondent John Fallon.

Thu, 26 Mar, 2026

Northern Ireland Press Conference
Italy and Northern Ireland target return to international football’s top table
Gli Azzurri start favourites in the World Cup playoff on Thursday but Michael O’Neill says his young team will show no fear.

Thu, 26 Mar, 2026

France v Ukraine - FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier
‘We have to do something for our people’: Ukraine nurture World Cup dream
The team have led a nomadic existence since Russia invaded and face a playoff against Sweden in Valencia on Thursday.

Thu, 26 Mar, 2026

Slovakia v Republic of Ireland - UEFA EURO2020 Qualifying Play-Off Semi-Final
Ireland's playoff record worse than England's shootout woes
As Ireland bid to advance to a play off final next Tuesday, it’s important not to forget the past

Thu, 26 Mar, 2026

Jayson Molumby 25/3/2026
Three key battles: Czechia v Republic of Ireland 
There are set to be intriguing battles all over the pitch in Prague; here are three that could go a long way to deciding who comes out on top. 

Thu, 26 Mar, 2026

Republic of Ireland Men's Media Conference and Training Session
S 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

Thu, 26 Mar, 2026

Seamus Coleman 25/3/2026
Watch: Seamus Coleman not done yet as Irish talisman sets the tone
Coleman’s role as emotional bellwether for this Irish team is more finely-honed than ever.

Thu, 26 Mar, 2026

Troy Parrott and Séamus Coleman celebrate after the match 16/11/2025
'This is our generation's Italia 90': Ireland within touching distance of first World Cup since 2002
Fans relive iconic late winner as Ireland prepares for crucial playoff with World Cup qualification within touching distance

Thu, 26 Mar, 2026

FBL-WC-2026-TROPHY-TOUR
WC Playoff previews: Italy on edge, Sweden shorn of stars and another chance for Lewandowski
Italy are back in the World Cup playoffs, one of 16 European teams competing for the four remaining spots from the continent for this summer’s tournament

Wed, 25 Mar, 2026

Czechia Press Conference and Training - Fortuna Arena - Wednesday March 25th
What the Czechs think of Ireland: 'To be honest, I was surprised they won against Portugal and Hungary'
The Czechs are more than a bit wary of Ireland ahead of this World Cup playoff.

Wed, 25 Mar, 2026

'They never saw Italia 90': Irish fans descend on Prague full of hope
'They never saw Italia 90': Irish fans descend on Prague full of hope
'We are hoping to bring the sea of green to Mexico and into the US in the summer'

Wed, 25 Mar, 2026

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

 Listen |

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