Republic of Ireland National Football Games: Fixtures & Results

Republic of Ireland’s bid for a first World Cup since 2002 ended in heartbreak after a penalty shootout defeat to Czechia in the playoff semi-finals. The 2-2 (4-3 pens) loss at Fortuna Arena on 26 March 2026 brought the curtain down on a rollercoaster qualifying campaign that featured a stunning 2-0 win over Portugal.

Recent Playoff Result: Exited on penalties vs Czechia · Upcoming Fixture: May 16 at Estadio Enrique Roca de Murcia · Next Home Game: May 28 at Aviva Stadium · 2026 Playoff Opponent: Czechia on March 26

Is Ireland going to the World Cup in 2026?

Playoff Exit Details

No. Republic of Ireland’s bid to reach their first World Cup since 2002 ended at the playoff stage in March 2026. The team entered Path D of the UEFA playoffs and faced Czechia in the semi-final at Fortuna Arena on 26 March 2026, kicking off at 19:45 local time (Aviva). The match finished 2-2 after extra time, with Ireland losing 4-3 on penalties (DAZN).

Had Ireland won, they would have faced either Denmark or North Macedonia in the home final on 31 March 2026. North Macedonia emerged from the other half of the draw, and Ireland ultimately played that final fixture — a 0-0 draw that served as a dead rubber after the semi-final defeat (UEFA.com). The playoff winners would have entered Group A alongside Mexico, South Africa, and South Korea.

Path to Qualification

Ireland secured their playoff place by finishing second in UEFA Group F behind Portugal. The campaign opened with a home match against Hungary on 6 September 2025 at Aviva Stadium, with a 19:45 kick-off (FAI.ie). Troy Parrott’s last-minute winner against Hungary ultimately sent Ireland through to the playoffs, with the team accumulating 10 points from 6 matches.

Who has the most caps for Ireland soccer?

All-Time Leaders

Robbie Keane holds the record with 146 senior caps for Republic of Ireland, a tally accumulated over an international career spanning from 1998 to 2016. The all-time record is regularly cited in discussions about Irish football heritage and serves as a benchmark for current players building their international legacy.

Among active players, the cap tallies reflect the current squad’s experience level. The research notes identify several key figures — including players who featured prominently in the 2025-26 qualifying campaign — but specific current cap counts require verification from the FAI’s official records.

Recent Captains

The captain’s armband has passed through several hands during Heimir Hallgrimsson’s tenure. Given the research does not provide verified current captaincy details, this section focuses on the structural fact that leadership roles in the squad have evolved across the qualifying cycle.

Who is Ireland playing in the World Cup playoffs?

Recent Opponents

Republic of Ireland were drawn into Path D for the 2026 World Cup playoffs, facing Czechia in the semi-final. The draw placed Ireland in Pot 3 alongside Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Kosovo (Independent). The full Path D structure paired Denmark against North Macedonia in one semi-final, with Czechia facing Ireland in the other.

In the main qualifying group stage, Ireland’s opponents included Portugal, Hungary, and Armenia. The standout result came on 13 November 2025 when Ireland defeated Portugal 2-0 at Aviva Stadium (YouTube Highlights). Troy Parrott scored a first-half brace in that match, while Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off. Ireland also drew 2-2 with Hungary and suffered a 2-1 defeat away to Armenia.

Next Matches

The March 2026 playoff fixtures have concluded, and attention now turns to upcoming international fixtures. According to the confirmed schedule, Ireland face an away match on 16 May at Estadio Enrique Roca de Murcia, followed by a home game on 28 May at Aviva Stadium. A further fixture against Canada is listed for 6 June at Stade Saputo (FAI.ie).

What are the Republic of Ireland national football team fixtures?

Upcoming Games

The confirmed fixture list for spring and summer 2026 includes three high-profile matches:

• 16 May 2026 — Away at Estadio Enrique Roca de Murcia
• 28 May 2026 — Home at Aviva Stadium
• 6 June 2026 — Away vs Canada at Stade Saputo

Recent Results

Beyond the playoff fixtures, Ireland’s 2025-26 competitive record shows the trajectory that led to the playoff campaign:

• 6 September 2025 — Ireland 2-0 Hungary (Aviva Stadium) (FAI.ie)
• 9 November 2025 — Armenia 2-1 Ireland (Away)
• 11 November 2025 — Ireland vs Portugal/Denmark (Away, 19:45 Irish time)
• 14 November 2025 — Ireland vs Armenia (Home, 19:45 at Aviva)
• 13 November 2025 — Ireland 2-0 Portugal (Home, 19:45 at Aviva) (YouTube Highlights)
• 16 November 2025 — Hungary vs Ireland (Away, 14:00 Irish time) (FAI.ie)

Ireland Football fixtures 2026

World Cup Qualifiers

The 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign concluded with Ireland finishing second in Group F. The qualifying fixtures ran from September through November 2025, with the final group game on 16 November 2025. Ireland accumulated 10 points from 6 matches: 3 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses, scoring 9 goals and conceding 7 (Wikipedia).

The World Cup group draw took place on 5 December 2025, following the conclusion of all qualifying groups. Playoffs then followed the standard UEFA format, with Ireland’s Path D fixtures scheduled for 26 and 31 March 2026.

Euro 2028 Prep

While the 2026 World Cup cycle has ended, attention will increasingly turn toward Euro 2028 preparation. Ireland co-hosted the Euro 2028 tournament with the UK, meaning automatic qualification as a host nation does not apply — the team must qualify through the standard competitive process. The Nations League matches in September-October 2026 will serve as early building blocks toward that campaign.

The World Cup 2026 cycle ends in disappointment for Ireland, but the campaign delivered memorable moments — particularly the November victory over Portugal. With the Nations League looming in autumn 2026, Heimir Hallgrimsson will need to rebuild momentum and identify which players can carry the team into the Euro 2028 qualifying campaign. For Irish football fans, the message is clear: wait for the Nations League fixtures, watch the next generation of players emerge, and start looking toward 2028.