Hungary up first and last in Ireland's World Cup qualification fixture schedule

Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson. Pic: James Crombie/Inpho

Ireland will start and finish against Hungary in their quest for a first World Cup qualification since 2002.

Fifa earlier on Friday pitted Ireland into a four-team group, guaranteed against Hungary and Armenia, while awaiting the winner of a March meeting between Portugal and Denmark for the pool’s top seed.

Fixture schedules were generated online to facilitate broadcast demands and Ireland have discovered their six-game itinerary for a spot at the tournament co-hosted by USA, Canada and Mexico.

Marco Rossi left Dublin in June with a 2-1 friendly defeat to take into the Euros and Hungary return to Lansdowne Road for this campaign opener on Saturday, September 6th (7.45pm).

Heimir Hallgrímsson and his Ireland squad will straight away travel to Armenia for a clash with the bottom seed on Tuesday, September 9 (5pm, Irish Time). Ireland’s last trip to Yerevan ended in a shock 1-0 defeat for Stephen Kenny’s side.

October will see Heimir Hallgrímsson's team travel to either Portugal or Denmark on Saturday, October 11 (7.45pm, Irish Time) before returning to Dublin to face Armenia three days later (7.45pm).

Third seeds Ireland will conclude their qualifying campaign with a home game against Portugal or Denmark on Thursday, November 13 (7.45pm) before the conclusion of the campaign against Hungary on Sunday, November 16th, with kick-off at 2pm (Irish time).

Ireland’s 2025 is now mapped out, beginning with the Nations League playoff relegation decider against Bulgaria over two legs in March. The FAI are arranging two friendlies in June, likely one at home, before the qualification tilt kicks off.

Fixture Schedule - FIFA World Cup 26 Qualifying Group F:

Saturday, Sept 6: Ireland v Hungary, Aviva Stadium (7.45pm) 

Tuesday, Sept 9: Armenia v Ireland, (5pm Irish Time) 

Saturday, Oct 11: Portugal/Denmark v Ireland, (7.45pm Irish Time) 

Tuesday, Oct 14: Ireland v Armenia, Aviva Stadium (7.45pm).

Thursday, Nov 13: Ireland v Portugal or Denmark, Aviva Stadium (7.45pm).

Sunday, Nov 16: Hungary v Ireland, (2pm, Irish Time).