How can Ireland reach a World Cup playoff?

Second-placed earns entry into the 16-team playoffs in March 2026, from which the final four European teams are decided

Wed, 15 Oct, 2025 - 19:38

John Fallon

Four points from four games leaves Ireland in third place of their World Cup qualifying group heading into the concluding fixtures in November.

Leaders Portugal, on 10 points, are hot favourites to claim the one automatic ticket to next year’s finals co-hosted by USA. Mexico and Canada.

Should they beat Ireland at Lansdowne Road on November 13 (7.45pm), their job will be complete with the final match against Armenia in Porto to spare.

That outcome would also eliminate Ireland from the equation for the runners-up spot if second-placed Hungary overcome Armenia earlier in Yerevan (5pm).

Evan Ferguson celebrates the winner. Picture: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Second-placed earns entry into the 16-team playoffs in March 2026, from which the final four European teams are decided.

In all likelihood, Ireland will need to at least eke out a draw from the Portuguese. That scenario would keep them in the mix heading to Budapest for the final game on November 16. Not only victory but an emphatic one, to overcome the current goal difference of two – to be increased with a Hungary win in Armenia.

Were Ireland to somehow shock Cristiano Ronaldo and Co by inflicting a first defeat for four years in a World Cup qualifier, a victory by any score on the last day would suffice.

Another permutation, albeit improbable at this stage, is Armenia holding Hungary in the penultimate game. That would allow Ireland to lose against Portugal but still know that shading the Budapest battle would clinch a playoff – unless Armenia upset Portugal away from home.

The draw for the expanded 2026 World Cup will be held in Washington on December 5 (12 noon, Irish).