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.

"The more important thing is we get a home game in the second game. If you look at it, probably Denmark. Italy maybe I wanted to avoid but it’s good to have a home match if we win the first one. 

“You can just imagine how big in importance that is, in a game that would be to qualify for the World Cup.

"But as now, our focus is on Czech Republic, and it’s going to be a tricky one.

"Not so different teams, Hungary and Czech republic but we need to now analyse them and we have time."

Hallgrímsson's memories of Prague trips aren't happy ones. 

"I went there once with Iceland and lost so not good memories from Czech Republic."

The Ireland boss reflected again on a landmark week for his side, after wins over Portugal and Hungary, and particularly goalscoring hero Troy Parrott.

"You cannot avoid talking about him but for me it was a team performance both games. Different games, in regard to how the team played. But we need to keep on improving, because once the emotions come now more and more into every game, we more and more need each other in what we are doing."