Ireland fans face ticket battle for World Cup play-off as Czechia confirm new manager

Ireland's World Cup play-off semi-final against Czechia will be played at the 19,200 capacity Fortuna Arena, the home of Slavia Prague

74-year-old former Viktoria Plzeň boss Miroslav Koubke has been appointed as Czechia's new manager. His first game in charge will be the World Cup play-off against Ireland on March 26. Pic: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images

The Football Association of the Czech Republic (FAČR) has confirmed that their World Cup play-off semi-final against Ireland on March 26 will be held at the Fortuna Arena in Prague.

The home of Slavia Prague, which hosted the 2022/23 Uefa Conference League final between West Ham and Fiorentina, has a capacity of just 19,200. It means Irish fans hoping to attend the game will face a scramble to secure tickets. There could be as little as 1,000 tickets available for away supporters. 

The winner of the play-off between Ireland and Czechia will face either North Macedonia or Denmark for a place at next year's World Cup. The FAČR confirmed that should they beat Ireland, Czechia will play the final at Sparta Prague's epet ARENA.

"The play-off draw has given us a strong opponent, but we still believe that the home environment in Prague will be a significant advantage for the national team," said FAČR chairman David Trunda.

"The fight for qualification to the World Cup is extremely important for all of Czech football and we will do our best to ensure that the team and our fans have the best possible conditions. Both stadiums have offered a number of unforgettable moments in the past and I would be very happy if we could write our own qualification story there in front of our great fans this March."

The FAČR also confirmed on Friday that Miroslav Koubek will be their manager for the game against Ireland. The 74-year-old, who has been appointed on a contract running until June 2028, takes over from Ivan Hasek, who was sacked after losing to the Faroe Islands in October.

Koubek has over 40 years of coaching experience, mostly in Czech football. He managed Viktoria Plzeň to second place in the Czech top flight last season.

"I greatly appreciate the opportunity to lead the Czech national team," said Koubek.

"I consider it a great honour and the pinnacle of my coaching career, and at the same time I am fully aware of the responsibility that comes with this position. We have tough challenges ahead of us, which I am looking forward to. 

"I can promise that we will all do our best to succeed in the March play-offs. We have a lot of work ahead of us in the coming weeks, but I am convinced that with the support of the fans and the entire football community, we can do it."

Trunda added: "Miroslav Koubek is a coach with significant professional credentials, a clear vision, extensive experience and a number of successes achieved on the domestic stage and in European cup competitions. 

"Our first common goal after 20 long years is to qualify for the World Cup. It would be a dream come true, from which we are currently two matches away. I believe that Mr. Koubek is the right personality who can unite our entire football family and that together we can achieve this goal."