'Teams will take points off each other' - Heimir Hallgrimsson not daunted by Ronaldo and Szoboszlai

Only the winners of the 12 groups are guaranteed to reach the 2026 showpiece in USA, Canada and Mexico, with the runners-up funnelled into the playoffs.

HEIMIR TIME: Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson stands for a portrait before a FIFA World Cup Draw media briefing at FAI Headquarters in Abbotstown. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile.

Full points against Armenia and a few from the higher seeds is the formula Heimir Hallgrimsson feels Ireland need to end their World Cup famine.

Ireland were third seeds for Friday’s World Cup draw but the influence of Uefa Nations League permutations applied restrictions and contingencies to the outcome.