Ireland only have remote chance of England reunion in World Cup qualifiers

Ireland will have a 75 percent prospect of meeting one of the eight teams involved in March’s Uefa Nations League quarter-finals as their top seeds: France, Spain, Portugal, Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Croatia or Denmark.

Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson during the UEFA Nations League B Group 2 match between England and Republic of Ireland at Wembley Stadium. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Ireland have been confirmed in the third pot of nations for the World Cup draw on Friday, December 13 but a series of restrictions narrows the field of opponents.

For instance, there’s only a 25 percent chance of Ireland sharing a group with familiar foes England. The same slim likelihood applies to fellow Pot 1 nations, Switzerland, Belgium and Austria.