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

BIG TALENT: Arsenal-bound Victor Ozhianvuna of Shamrock Rovers. Pic: Tyler Miller/Sportsfile

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.