World Cup 2030 campaign - how will Ireland's team look for the next tilt?

Here, we reach for the crystal ball to prophesise who are the contenders to be leading Ireland’s charge for that tilt at the start of 2029

Sat, 28 Mar, 2026 - 02:00

John Fallon

Another World Cup will come and go this summer in North America without Ireland, prolonging the nation’s qualification wait to at least 26 years.

Next time around, the tournament will be spread across three continents to mark its 100-year anniversary, with main hosts Spain, Morocco and Portugal being joined by Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay in staging opening-round matches.

Gianni Infantino’s crusade within his Fifa Presidency for global popularity has led to the notion of doubling the extravaganza to 64 teams. This year’s version is the first to feature 48 teams, slightly increasing the European presence to 16 nations.

While most of the squad whose dreams were shattered in Prague will be retained for Euro 2028, their involvement in the next World Cup cycle isn’t so guaranteed.

Tommy Martin: We haven't yet reached the limits of Heimirball

Here, we reach for the crystal ball to prophesise who are the contenders to be leading Ireland’s charge for that tilt at the start of 2029.

It doesn’t just include the players either.

Goalkeepers

Stoppers enjoy a longevity that outfield players don’t, so there’s not a chance of Caoimhín Kelleher being deposed at the undisputed No 1. He’ll be 30 then and will continue to have an able understudy in Gavin Bazunu, three years his junior.

Defenders

There’s an argument that the current three-pronged defensive unit of Jake O’Brien (24), Nathan Collins (24) and Dara O’Shea (27) will still be intact by then but the area that Ireland are most stocked in has contenders to dislodge them. James Abankwah, at 22, is likely to be handed his senior debut in Tuesday’s glorified friendly against North Macedonia and he has the tools to be snapped up from Championship outfit by a top-flight suitor.

QPR Jimmy Dunne, at 28, has made a late surge for an international breakthrough while Anselmo García MacNulty is the standout in that position from the last U21 generation. He’s 23 and a regular for Eredivisie club PEC Zwolle.

Anselmo Garcia MacNulty: one for the future. Pic: Tommy Dickson/Inpho

We can assume that this was the last chance for the Class of ’92, Robbie Brady and John Egan, to reach the World Cup.

The latter’s central defensive partner at Hull City Cathal McCarthy may keep the Tigers presence alive in time, while the experience that Corkman Gabriel Otegbayo is being hardened by at financially troubled Sheffield Wednesday sh0uld stand to him. Dundalk’s Norwich City-bound centre-back Vinny Leonard was the pick of the defenders representing Ireland at last year’s U17 World Cup.

Midfielders/wingers

Here’s the problem area which shows no sign of an imminent solution. Will Josh Cullen still have the legs and endurance at 32 to be an international regular midfielder? A question mark lingers over that one. Jayson Molumby will only be Cullen’s current age of 29 then. Jason Knight, 28.

Coming up the rear is Bosun Lawal, highly rated at Stoke City and by the Ireland management team but hampered by an horrendous injury record. The 22-year-old is considered the foremost candidate to harness the centre as a natural holder. Manchester United pair Jacob Devaney and Jack Moorhouse have shown potential at U21 level, with further down the age profile being Arsenal’s €2m purchase Victor Ozhianvuna (17) and Cork City’s Cillian Murphy (16).

Another to emerge through the City ranks, Cathal O’Sullivan, has joined Preston North to complete his comeback from an ACL injury. He’s comfortable as an attacking midfielder or on the flanks.

Alex Murphy's ferocious pace makes him a real option on the left side. Pic: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho

Andrew Moran is also at Deepdale. The hope is that he can settle into a regular performer having finally departed Brighton and Hove Albion.

Galway wing-back Alex Murphy will likely follow that path if he can’t leapfrog Lewis Hall at Newcastle United. His ferocious pace makes him a real option on the left side.

Chelsea’s Chris Atherton is one to watch, having recently switched allegiance from Northern Ireland, a move also made recently by Harvey Vale from England.

Strikers

Ireland can pack a punch up front. Eventually, Evan Ferguson (21) will shake off his ankle injury to partner Troy Parrott (24). Behind them are Adam Idah and Johnny Kenny but Hibernian’s new recruit Owen Elding becomes eligible from next month. He recently turned 20.

Troy Parrott looks crestfallen after the result, but he'll be back to lead Ireland's attack for years to come. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Moving into the teenage category, how Mason Melia develops at Tottenham Hotspur will be fascinating. His record as Ireland's youngest U21 goalscorer was smashed last year by Michael Noonan. The Shamrock Rovers striker will have his pick of cross-channel clubs when the summer window opens in the summer and he turns 18.

Manager

Heimir Hallgrímsson’s extended contract runs until the end of the Euro 2028 campaign, Whether he chooses to move on or the FAI opt for a fresh face will probably be influenced by results but waiting in the wings could be Damien Duff or Robbie Keane. Expect England U21 boss Lee Carsley to be in the frame again too.