World Cup Qualification Playoffs - March 2026

[Eirambler]

Probably, at the very most, Denmark might boycott it if the US went for Greenland. Which, on the upside, would mean we'd just have to beat the Czechs to get to the World Cup!

I think it's more likely that the US play on Greenland is a bargaining chip though. Taking out an unpopular dictator in Venezuela is one thing, going after NATO territory is another entirely.

[Bungle]

Well we would play North Macedonia!

I think they are capable of annexing Greenland. He doesn't give a **** about NATO.

I can't see how Denmark would play. In fact, UEFA would have a big conversation among it's various associations to be had. I suspect the Norway and Sweden would join the boycott. It would come down to the bigger countries because I suspect the Eastern European countries would not boycott. I would join the boycott if UEFA boycotted en masse.

If that did happen, it would be hillarious if UEFA/Commebol organised a tournament during the summer in Germany. They could probably put on a tournament like that at such short notice.

[rebelmusic]

I'm no fan of trump but It's pretty clear it's all posturing as a tactic for negotiations. They already have the legal right to put as many military bases there as they want and actually annexing it would take an act of Congress. On the legal front, Greenland would have to ratify any agreements with their version of a referendum and I don't see all that getting done before the mid-terms.

I could be wildly naive here but I just don't see it happening illegally. Doesn't mean that we won't be dragged through a years worth of blaring headlines for every mad thing that comes out of his mouth and I've no doubt the posturing will go up a few more notches.

Sorry if I'm going way off topic here..

[Eirambler]

Yeah, everything Trump does is with a view to a deal and this is no different. He doesn't really want access to Greenland as a strategic location, because the US effectively already has that access, they'd be allowed to put as many troops there as they wanted to. He's after the natural resources - and by threatening to take over the place, unlikely though that is, he'll be angling for a deal where the US gets favourable access to whatevers under the melting ice.

This is a guy who trades support for Ukraine in exchange for favourable access to their minerals literally while they're under attack. The man has no sense of shame (but we all already knew that anyway).

Anyway, in a desperate attempt to keep this on topic, I guess what I'm saying is that realistically we're not going to get to the World Cup without beating Denmark.

[rebelmusic]

Agreed on everything you said including the unlikelihood of Denmark boycotting the event. The one saving grace of The Danes getting in at our cost would be a US Denmark matchup if that's even possible

[Kingdom]

I'm no fan of trump but It's pretty clear it's all posturing as a tactic for negotiations. They already have the legal right to put as many military bases there as they want and actually annexing it would take an act of Congress. On the legal front, Greenland would have to ratify any agreements with their version of a referendum and I don't see all that getting done before the mid-terms.

I could be wildly naive here but I just don't see it happening illegally. Doesn't mean that we won't be dragged through a years worth of blaring headlines for every mad thing that comes out of his mouth and I've no doubt the posturing will go up a few more notches.

Sorry if I'm going way off topic here..

They kidnapped the leader of a sovereign state, in that sovereign state, in the middle of the night. All bets are off now with regard to that administration. And it's about raw materials there no matter what anyone else wants to claim - same as it was in Venezuela. Same as it is in Ukraine I might add.

[pineapple stu]

Yeah, agree with that. Trump has more or less said he views himself above international law. I would like to believe Trump won't invade Greenland, just as I'm sure people 80 years ago would have liked to believe Hitler wouldn't invade Czechoslovakia.

I don't see any real boycott of the World Cup though.

[tetsujin1979]

Trying to think of an equivalent in history. The Russian(USSR at the time) and USA boycotted Olympics held in the other countries during the Cold War, but I don't know of any country that refused a position at a World Cup.

Also, as I've stated elsewhere, I hate how anything going ahead is coming back to what mood the US President is on a certain day.

[pineapple stu]

The USSR refused to turn up for a playoff second leg against Chile in 1973 because the venue had held political assassinations two months earlier under Pinochet. Nearest I can think of.

And Poland et al calling FIFA's bluff by refusing to play Russia in the playoffs for the last World Cup is comparable to an extent too. They won their case, but they still put their qualification on the line.

[IsMiseSean]

The calls to have Iran thrown out of the World Cup will start soon and I suspect FIFA will comply once Trump phones his mate 'Johnny Infantino'.

[tetsujin1979]

To be quickly followed by the other three countries currently under travel sanctions by the US who have qualified for the world cup

[Bungle]

I do think there is a sizeable chance that Denmark boycott it. The Danes will find it hard to play there, if the US annex Greenland - very high chance although Iran might be his priority first.

The question is would UEFA as a federation stand with the Danes, or would it be a country by country decision? Governments would be getting involved across the continent and puting pressure on their federations to play if it is country by country. The Israelis are one thing. The Americans are a different beast and governments won't want to be in his line of sight if their national teams refuse to play.

As a country and as a federation, we were happy to play in Putin's Russia or Qatar, who are both far worse than Trump's USA. The difference would be if momentum gathered initially from the Danes with the Norwegians and possibly the Swedes (if they qualify) following suit. Of the biggest nations, the Germans could boycott and the English and Dutch may go next because there will be significant pressure on them to. Of course, if the Danes pull out prior to the playoffs, none of this happens. I think that would happen if Greenland is annexed.

It is definitely one to watch.

[Kingdom]

I do think there is a sizeable chance that Denmark boycott it. The Danes will find it hard to play there, if the US annex Greenland - very high chance although Iran might be his priority first.

The question is would UEFA as a federation stand with the Danes, or would it be a country by country decision? Governments would be getting involved across the continent and puting pressure on their federations to play if it is country by country. The Israelis are one thing. The Americans are a different beast and governments won't want to be in his line of sight if their national teams refuse to play.

As a country and as a federation, we were happy to play in Putin's Russia or Qatar, who are both far worse than Trump's USA. The difference would be if momentum gathered initially from the Danes with the Norwegians and possibly the Swedes (if they qualify) following suit. Of the biggest nations, the Germans could boycott and the English and Dutch may go next because there will be significant pressure on them to. Of course, if the Danes pull out prior to the playoffs, none of this happens. I think that would happen if Greenland is annexed.

It is definitely one to watch.

While it is all just speculation at this stage, my perspective is that if such an action was required (Denmark boycotting due to interference in Greenland - one might argue there has already been interference via JD Vance but that's a different kettle of mackeral), the key country is Norway - nobody else.

What would be interesting is a Canadian reaction; one imagines Canada doesn't need a World Cup as such and wouldn't interpret American annexing of Greenland positively.

[Eirambler]

While it's no harm to keep an eye on this, it's important to bear in mind that threats to annex Greenland are most likely positioning and posturing in search of some kind of minerals deal. It's very unlikely to happen, less likely still that it would happen between now and June.

[Demesne Lad]

Meanwhile, back on the pitch(es), after 31 games in the FA Cup 3rd round, total goals scored by Republic of Ireland players (unless I've missed something) = 1.
Heimir seems like a decent skin, but even if he wasn't, I'd feel sorry for him.

[Eirambler]

I count three - Jordan Shipley, Jaze Kabia and Tony Springett. Granted those are not names that are likely to feature in Heimir's squad list for March, but many teams rest their frontliners in the FA Cup, our two main strikers don't play in England, while our next two in line are out injured.

I think this was probably the quietest weekend of the season so far for Irish goals, overall it hasn't been too bad, with half a dozen or thereabouts on average across the English leagues, the SPL and the main European leagues each week.

[Bungle]

My mate living in Germany said there are calls for Germany to boycott the World Cup.

[rebelmusic]

Yeah after his latest tariff ravings I'm starting to take back everything I suggested. At the same time it's a real shame that we're up against Denmark...I'd pay good money to see them wipe the floor with a US team at this stage

[Bungle]

Yeah after his latest tariff ravings I'm starting to take back everything I suggested. At the same time it's a real shame that we're up against Denmark...I'd pay good money to see them wipe the floor with a US team at this stage

He clearly doesn't want a deal, he wants to take Greenland. He won't have to use force because Europe won't challenge him, but there will be serious tensions between the US and Europe for a very long time. Ireland will be a but ****ed because we are good Europeans yet we need the Americans.

I definitely think there will be countries boycotting this. The Germans are arguably the most powerful nation in Uefa so it would be interesting to see what they decide to do - like I said will it be a continent decision not to play, or a country by country decision. I think UEFA will give each country that choice. I expect the Eastern Europeans will play and Italy could if they qualify - their leader is a fan of Trump.

I really feel for the people of Greenland. It's the equivalent of him saying he wants Ireland and basically there is sweet fa we can do about it and nothing the world can do.

[Eirambler]

Taco.

[texidub]

Supposing Denmark boycotts... and FIFA says OK Ireland you take their place... what should we do? (Personally, I'd be against.)

[Bungle]

Supposing Denmark boycotts... and FIFA says OK Ireland you take their place... what should we do? (Personally, I'd be against.)

It's a really hard one. We had no issue playing in Putin's Russia or Qatar. With America, it's more the shock that in this new world, they are openly so bad - they always did bad things behind the scenes but were the so called protectors of democracy (weren't really) in public.

If we beat the Czechs and the North Macedonians, the lads deserve to play in the world cup and is it right to take that away from them?

My gut is that if the Germans boycott along with the Scandinavians, the Dutch, English, Belgians and French will follow. I think the FAI would be under serious pressure to boycott, but without a full UEFA decision that we all boycott, that's easier said than done for the smaller and medium sized nations like us. We haven't been in the world cup since 2002. The Scottish since 1998. The Czechs since 2006 and they have a great football pedigree. Equally, whether we like it or not, huge numbers of our workforce are dependant on American companies. It's much easier to take a stand against Israel or Russia, but ****ing off this lunatic, could put us in a serious recession because we aren't a huge economy like Germany. That's a nightmare for the FAI and the government by extension as well - I mightn't like either by the way but that's a proper headache - I guess the government would say it's an FAI decision and distance themselves from it but they would be asked to comment on it so they are going to be in the tailspin. We have a foot in both the US and Europe, but that's coming to an end in the coming weeks and months.

I can see real arguments both ways and maybe that makes me a ****** because if the US annexed Ireland, I would like to think all of the nations of Europe would boycott it.

The dream would be Germany or England (or both) hosting an unofficial world cup with the South Americans joining in, alongside random nations from Asia and Africa. Have a Greenland team as well just to **** off Trump. Make it a big **** off event with 60 teams. Really **** off FIFA as well.

[texidub]

It would be a mess alright. Another factor is that we would be punishing Mexico and Canada too. I have mixed feelings about the parasitic tech companies and their data centers that Ireland relies on - along with military flights through Shannon these associations and our dependence on them for financial reasons makes us complicit in a whole lot of bad stuff that's happening around the world - and for the worst reason of all - profit.

Do we also need to comply with a WC that's shaping up to be something like Hitler's Olympics?

[pineapple stu]

I think there's too much powerful money in the world today for a boycott to work. Politicians won't change our reliance on America because we wouldn't like the economic result. And the 2034 World Cup is in Saudi Arabia - a complete ****hole, and a trouble-making ****hole at that. Do we boycott that too?

It's a pity the world has come to this, but we are a very selfish species and we don't work very well in terms of trusting others to follow our lead and get cl critical mass. If Denmark boycott and we boycott, North Macedonia might go and it'd be a huge event for them, and the Donald latches on to that

The parallels between Alaska and Greenland are interesting (and concerning). The US bought Alaska off Russia for its resources - Russia accepted ultimately because they knew they couldn't hold it militarily. It was too far away for one. The Russians in Alaska were left high and dry - still a fair few Russian Orthodox churches in the state.

[texidub]

Speaking of Alaska, Trump has troops there on standby to go into Minnesota. Posse comitatus, me arse.

Nothing puts me off football more than thinking for a few seconds about FIFA (and the ridiculous wages for players and coaches at big clubs). Too much money and corruption.

I remember as a kid I saw an old documentary about Cuba (maybe in the 70s, not sure) and the camera was following a man cycling to a stadium for a big baseball game in front of a huge crowd. He waved at a few people, plopped his bike down and jogged up some steps into the stadium. He wasn't a fan though. He was one of the star players. It would make you wonder whether places like that have their priorities right in some ways, while our priorities are upside down?

[rebelmusic]

I wish I could say that politics should stay out of sport but even if I felt that way, infantino has already destroyed that premise. Maybe someone should set up a company called "Hands off Greenland" and all the EU countries could make them their sponsor.

There's a lot to be said for hordes of Europeans going to the US and making their voices heard about what he's doing. I did read earlier that the one thing protected from him is NATO and he would need congressional approval to make any changes to it. Attacking a NATO ally surely falls under that list so I'm back to thinking this is brinkmanship negotiating tactics and Europe just needs to stand firm until November. It's going to be a long, long 10 months before we get there though

The other likely outcome is that he rolls up with 10000 troops and references the 1951 treaty and the response from Europe just needs to be the same.

I lived in China for 7 years and there was always talk about the end of the American century. Little was I to know they would elect someone to destroy it in a 12 month period

[Fixer82]

It’s clear now that Infantino was told, or it was intimated to him, to give Trump an award.
Infantino desperate to have a smooth World Cup bent over for him.

I think a boycott of FIFA would be just as acceptable as a boycott of USA

[pineapple stu]

There's a lot to be said for hordes of Europeans going to the US and making their voices heard about what he's doing.
I'd argue the opposite - there's a lot to be said for hordes of Europeans leaving the US and coming home. There's already noises that big companies are funding it harder to get qualified staff, so that's the real area to hurt him.

I cannot for the life of me see the attraction to living in the US these days, unless it's a misguided sense of "It won't happen to me"

[Eirambler]

I'd argue the opposite - there's a lot to be said for hordes of Europeans leaving the US and coming home. There's already noises that big companies are funding it harder to get qualified staff, so that's the real area to hurt him.

I cannot for the life of me see the attraction to living in the US these days, unless it's a misguided sense of "It won't happen to me"

I count never understand it anyway. Europeans work to live, Americans are pretty much forced to live for their work. Even leaving aside the lunatic running the place, it's not for me.


It’s clear now that Infantino was told, or it was intimated to him, to give Trump an award.
Infantino desperate to have a smooth World Cup bent over for him.

I think a boycott of FIFA would be just as acceptable as a boycott of USA

If there's one tiny positive to come from all this it's that Infantino has been made to look an even bigger tit than usual by Trump here, especially when you see the content of Trump's letter to the Norwegian PM that's been leaked this morning. Looks like the other FIFA officials are washing their hands of it and leaving Infantino by himself to take ownership of it as well.

Whatever he does from here, the Trump Peace Award is likely what he'll be most remembered for now.

[rebelmusic]

Yeah couldn't agree more. He's up for election next year and hopefully this WC will be his undoing. Although I'm 100% convinced that whoever comes next will be as bad if not worse

[Bungle]

Anyone have any idea how quickly Germany (or England) could host a 48 team tournament if there is a mass boycott? I think I recall hearing once that Germany would need two months for a 32 team one. They have the stadiums and the infrastructure.

I genuinely wonder whether Fifa would pick another host and knock the US on the head (realising a world cup without the major European nations and even countries like Norway (Haaland) is a finanacial disaster for them) or stick with them through thick and thin?

I don't think Mexico and Canada could jointly do it without the US, at this stage, but I might be mistaken. I imagine there are only a handful of countries that could like England and Germany. Even at that, they might look to spread it around a few countries like France, Holland and Belgium, given the short notice.

I can't see anything other than the US annexing Greenland right now. He wants the land and the minerals and the Greenlanders and the Danes rightly won't accept that. Europe is rightly standing with them - might change in a few months when the ordinary punter in Paris or London is impacted but right now that isn't the case.

[Eirambler]

Relax, even the guy's own defence secretary is doing the rounds today telling everyone it's not going to happen. It's a bargaining ploy and he will probably have some success with it in that respect unfortunately. In the end Denmark/NATO will make some concessions to the US to get him to **** off onto something else and he'll class that as a win.

[Diggs246]

That's the problem Greenland have offered him everything. But he still wants to invade. If he does, he might then be tempted to attack Iceland unfortunately, another defenseless country with no army. He's a tyrant

[pineapple stu]

Vague talks of a boycott at semi-official levels (https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jan/20/concerned-european-football-chiefs-discuss-response-to-donald-trump-over-greenland). I guess this is how things start.

[tetsujin1979]

England LGBT+ fans group says they will not attend the world cup in USA
https://www.instagram.com/p/DTiY95YiP5y

[Bungle]

I know UEFA have considerable flaws, but I would love to know would they break ranks with FIFA and support a full federation boycott? They don't exist without the big nations like Germany. I suppose they could do the classic "each to their own" and that way some European teams will play.

[Eirambler]

Well now he's openly saying that, as expected, he won't be invading through force. So this can probably be put to bed. I can't see there being a boycott over a trade war.

[pineapple stu]

You seem very keen to suggest that this is a non-issue. I don't think anything is a non-issue with the Orange One. He says one thing one day and another the next.

[Eirambler]

I am, because I think too many people are too keen to fall for his shtick. When I see people posting things like "I can't see anything other than the US annexing Greenland right now" I think, you're doing exactly what he wants by thinking that. But the reality is that he has no track record of annexing anywhere. Or really following all the way through on almost any of the nonsense he spouts.

Much as he seems to be all over the place, it's actually really just the same play over and over. Go in ridiculously hard, put everyone on the back foot and then use that position as leverage to negotiate a favourable deal.

I think this, from Tim Marshall, is a better summation of how the Trump playbook really works.

https://timjohnmarshall.substack.com/p/if-you-think-trump-will-invade-greenland?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web&triedRedirect=true

[Kingdom]

I am, because I think too many people are too keen to fall for his shtick. When I see people posting things like "I can't see anything other than the US annexing Greenland right now" I think, you're doing exactly what he wants by thinking that. But the reality is that he has no track record of annexing anywhere. Or really following all the way through on almost any of the nonsense he spouts.

Much as he seems to be all over the place, it's actually really just the same play over and over. Go in ridiculously hard, put everyone on the back foot and then use that position as leverage to negotiate a favourable deal.

I think this, from Tim Marshall, is a better summation of how the Trump playbook really works.

https://timjohnmarshall.substack.com/p/if-you-think-trump-will-invade-greenland?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web&triedRedirect=true

Your post could easily be seen as positive towards him, his approach and how he's affecting the globe. Is it?

[pineapple stu]

I am, because I think too many people are too keen to fall for his shtick. When I see people posting things like "I can't see anything other than the US annexing Greenland right now" I think, you're doing exactly what he wants by thinking that. But the reality is that he has no track record of annexing anywhere.
Much and all as I don't agree with Bungle's certainly he will invade, I don't agree with your certainly he won't either. As Kingdom has said, he had the President of a sovereign nation kidnapped last month, and has said he's running the place now. I think the only certain thing here is his unpredictability

[Eirambler]

Much and all as I don't agree with Bungle's certainly he will invade, I don't agree with your certainly he won't either. As Kingdom has said, he had the President of a sovereign nation kidnapped last month, and has said he's running the place now. I think the only certain thing here is his unpredictability

So it's the end of the news day and we now already know that, not only is he not actually planning to take Greenland by force, he's not going through with the tariffs threat either. But an outline of a deal has been agreed, funnily enough, that will no doubt cover whatever it is that he has actually been looking for from all this. The news cycle will move on to something else and we'll find ourselves in the same situation in the near future about some other issue. Rinse and repeat.

The World Cup will go ahead as planned, the people who go to it will enjoy themselves. And they'll get absolutely fleeced in the process. Far from being unpredictable, it's actually all very boringly predictable. But, as long as people keep falling for his shtick, it will keep happening.

The Venezuela thing is ******** too, incidentally. By global geopolitical standards that was nothing more than a quick surgical strike against a provincial dickhe@d. Followed by another nonsense press conference full of claims that are never actually going to be followed through. All Trump wants from there is the oil. Just get someone more negotiable in to replace the last guy and knock a favourable deal out of them.

[Eirambler]

Your post could easily be seen as positive towards him, his approach and how he's affecting the globe. Is it?

God, no. The man's a pr!ck. I do have to begrudgingly give him some credit though for how often he gets away with this kind of nonsense.

[rebelmusic]

Yeah we all, all Europeans need to stop falling for the same tactics and just start ignoring him. He is playing us all for fools and literally said in his speech that he goes in with a maximalist position in all negotiations, when it's not actually his goal. All our leaders need to take a leaf out of Mark Carneys book who's also eligible to play for Ireland so...sign him up Trap!

Now back to the soccer and the real international challenges:)

[pateen]

Is anyone planning on trying for tickets in the Czech side?

[Diggs246]

That's our back up plan

I've been told that the only place not to buy tickets is behind the goal as that's where their ultras are. The main stands should be fine

[pateen]

My thinking as well.
Even better to go for the more expensive tickets in the lower middle main stands.

Relatively to the cost of the trip it’s not going to be a huge difference.

[Bungle]

Obviously need to beat the Czechs, but Dorgu has been ruled out for the Danes and Damsgard went off injured for Brentford against Forest.

[Kingdom]

The bandwagon is back baby!

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2026/0204/1556686-more-than-6-000-ireland-fans-apply-for-play-off-tickets/

[Kingdom]

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2026/0311/1562868-the-czech-check-up-injury-worries-and-a-captaincy-call/