Hungary and Armenia join Ireland in Group F, alongside the winners of Portugal vs Denmark
Heimir Hallgrímsson and his Ireland squad now know who they will face in the qualifying group for the 2026 World Cup. Ireland will need to finish second or higher to progress from the group stages against Hungary, Armenia and the winners of a clash between Portugal and Denmark.
First place in the group is automatic qualification, while second place enters in to the semi-final stage of the playoffs. It will be the first qualification campaign under Icelandic head coach Hallgrímsson, who to date has recorded two wins and four defeats, from the Nations League group that started in September.
The opposition is tough for the ‘Boys in Green’, with Hungary residing 30 places higher than Ireland in the world rankings, in 30th. Denmark and Portugal sit at 21st and sixth respectively, while Armenia are the only team lower ranked than Ireland, lying in 100th.
Fixture details will follow in due course.