World Cup Qualification Playoffs - March 2026

There's Mcateer as well who's regularly getting 20 mins off the bench for Ipswich. Hardly going set the world alight but still.

Taylor as well playing regularly.

Brown is getting a lot of game time and Knight is in form.

Lawal was playing excellent before the injury and I'd have a lot of confidence in him if he's fit

I think he should call up Mcgoldrick at this stage and at least then we have two strikers who are in the best form of their lives

Defense is also solid with the usual question mark around the left back slot. Scales has filled in there a lot this season so I'd say it's his to lose.

All our CBS are doing well and with teams who are challenging for Europe / promotion.

So yeah. It sucks about Cullen and Ferguson but we didn't need Evan to beat Hungary and Portugal.

Knight or Lawal aren't too much of a drop down from Cullen (I'd argue Lawal is better overall, just still a bit raw)

Trying to stay positive!

Scales is suspended don't forget!

Good read on rte's website today about the last time the national side won in Prague*

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2026...win-in-prague/

That’s a great article!

Czech squad announced

15 domestic-based players - it doesn't look the most daunting Czech side ever. Two of the Sparta side that lost 3-1 to Parrott's AZ. Schick, Hranec and Coufal seem a solid spine though.

Our squad out later this week I presume?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

15 domestic-based players - it doesn't look the most daunting Czech side ever. Two of the Sparta side that lost 3-1 to Parrott's AZ. Schick, Hranec and Coufal seem a solid spine though.

Our squad out later this week I presume?

---

Agreed that they look beatable on paper. Schick and Sulc both doubtful / coming back from injury too so...who knows?

As for our own squad announcement, i had the same question a few days ago! It would have to be the next day or two, you'd think.

Thursday at 11:30 according to the FAI's social media accounts
https://www.instagram.com/p/DV84WstjNiQ

Denmark and North Macedonia have also announced their squads for their play off
https://www.ffm.mk/sedloski-go-soops...plasman-na-sp/
https://www.dbu.dk/nyheder/2026/mart...on-er-udtaget/

squad details on the respective association's wikipedia page
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_...l_team#Players
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denmar...l_team#Players

So here we go

Scales suspended for the opener. Coleman and Brady in the same squad is crying out for injury problems. I guess that's why Vale is in though - and Abankwah, who seems to have gone from rarely impressing at any level to suddenly being ok and a regular starter for Watford. No Doherty - interestingly, Wolves only reel him out for the big games it seems, so I guess those are the ones they're not worried about losing. His only league games since the last window were against Arsenal, Brentford, Liverpool, Man United, Chelsea and Liverpool.

Conor Coventry maybe unlucky not to be called up in the typically light midfield. Cullen injured and Smallbone not really getting game time. Big game to bring Lawal in for if it comes to it. Alan Browne back too, which is deserved I think.

No McGoldrick up front, though Kenny is there despite juts one goal in seven games since joining Bolton. Idah hasn't played in three months, Ogbene has played 20 minutes since the last window, and no Festy (who I don't rate anyway, so not worried about that)

Bottom line is as it was in November I think - with a top goalkeeper and an in-form striker, we'll always have a chance.


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)

Sounds like Lawal is in HH’s thinking. Would be a brave selection but one I’d be pleased to see.

Festy is suspended for the first game anyway, and with Scales also suspended, we really didn't need another unavailable player in the squad.
Entirely possible he comes back after the first game

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by third policeman

Sounds like Lawal is in HH’s thinking. Would be a brave selection but one I’d be pleased to see.

---

Not in such a big game