Hallgrímsson: Ireland must cope with emotions in 'tricky' playoff with Czechia

The Ireland boss is delighted Ireland will be rewarded with a home final should the first hurdle of the World Cup playoffs be negotiated.

Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson celebrates after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F Qualifier match between Hungary and Republic of Ireland at Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Heimir Hallgrímsson will stay focussed on Czechia for now, but is delighted Ireland will be rewarded with a home final should the first hurdle of the World Cup playoffs be negotiated.

"It was always going to be a tricky, difficult first match, the other team playing at home, ranked higher than us. I really didn’t mind which one it was," Hallgrímsson told RTÉ Sport.