Chiedozie Ogbene to be fit and flying for start of Ireland's World Cup qualifying campaign

The former Cork City man hasn’t played since rupturing his Achilles tendon in late October.

Chiedozie Ogbene of Republic of Ireland during the UEFA Nations League B Group 2 match between Greece and Republic of Ireland. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson has confirmed that Ipswich Town’s Chiedozie Ogbene will be fit and raring to go when the national team’s 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign gets underway in September.

The former Cork City man hasn’t played since rupturing his Achilles tendon during his club’s Premier League 4-3 defeat to Brentford in late October but the news is positive in time for Ireland’s Group F openers at home to Hungary and away to Armenia.