Republic of Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson has named his 25-man squad for next week’s crunch World Cup playoff semi-final away to Czechia, followed by a potential final with either Denmark or North Macedonia.
Ireland have the chance to qualify for their first major tournament since Euro 2016, and their first World Cup since 2002.
The main headline from the announcement is the inclusion of Harvey Vale, the QPR midfielder who confirmed his switch of international allegiance from England to Ireland just six days ago.
Vale captained England to glory at the U19 European Championships in 2022, and the attacking midfielder is an exciting addition to the squad.
Elsewhere, Alan Browne and Robbie Brady return to the squad after missing the last international window due to injury.
On the injury front, Roma’s Evan Ferguson misses out due to undergoing ankle surgery last week, while Burnley’s Josh Cullen is still recovering from an ACL injury sustained playing with his club over the Christmas.
Seamus Coleman has played just 10 minutes with Everton since his last Ireland appearance in November but was a dead cert to be included in Hallgrimsson’s squad.
Celtic defender Liam Scales is also included, despite being suspended for the visit to Prague.
The entire hopes of the nation will be pinned on AZ Alkmaar striker Troy Parrott, who sent Ireland to the playoffs from an unlikely position with five goals in two games against Hungary and Portugal.
The 24-year-old has continued his rich vein of form for the Dutch outfit, by notching 14 goals since his heroic hattrick in Hungary.
As well as announcing the squad for next week, the FAI also announced the extension of Heimir Hallgrimsson’s expiring contract, meaning he’ll carry the torch up until after the Euro 2028 campaign.
Ireland Squad in Full
Goalkeepers: Caoimhín Kelleher (Brentford), Mark Travers (Everton), Josh Keeley (Luton Town).
Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Jimmy Dunne (QPR), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Dara O’Shea (Ipswich Town), Jake O’Brien (Everton), John Egan (Hull City), James Abankwah (Watford), Liam Scales (Celtic)*, Robbie Brady (Preston North End), Ryan Manning (Southampton).
Midfielders: Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Bosun Lawal (Stoke City), Jack Taylor (Ipswich Town), Alan Browne (Middlesbrough), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Finn Azaz (Southampton), Harvey Vale (QPR).
Attackers: Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar), Adam Idah (Swansea City), Johnny Kenny (Bolton Wanderers, on loan from Celtic), Chiedozie Ogbene (Sheffield United, on loan from Ipswich Town), Sammie Szmodics (Derby County, on loan from Ipswich Town)
*Suspended for Czechia game
Your Ireland squad for the FIFA World Cup 26 Qualifying Play-Offs is in 🇮🇪@QPR’s Harvey Vale receives his first senior Ireland call-up as Alan Browne & Robbie Brady both return 👏
Thu 26th March | 🇨🇿 v 🇮🇪
Tue 31st March | 🇮🇪 v 🇩🇰/🇲🇰 pic.twitter.com/1DQoBpXrx3— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) March 19, 2026