World Cup 2026...........'draw'....

[Nesta99]

I thought we had decided not to enter the Eurovision!?!?!

Not the worst draw, not the best, compared to some you'd take it. Heath being taken in to consideration unlike 94. England for a change have a bit of a stinker. There'll be a good few suprises this WC, Germany could be vulnerable more than normal. Not unexpected but there will be some poor group games. Lopes will be liking that draw getting to play Spain, just keep fit for the summer lad. It does feel a bit off talking about groups we havent confirmed but as long as no Irish person has toouched the trophy i'll set the superstition aside.

How did we ever manage to get someone worse than Blatter leading FIFA, peace prizes and YMCA, dandcing Don, it was like a blooper reel from Police Academy.

[SkStu]

When you see those groups, you realize the amount of dross that will be there. No doubt it will throw up a few surprises and some classic games (like Qatar WC did) but it is hard to pick a true group of death out of that one.

[Nesta99]

When you see those groups, you realize the amount of dross that will be there. No doubt it will throw up a few surprises and some classic games (like Qatar WC did) but it is hard to pick a true group of death out of that one.

Biggest shock of all, not even Scotland could find a way not to get out of their group!

Groups I and L probably the most interesting ones in terms of big hitters. There are a good few groups that would be equally mediocre so will be interesting in a different way.

[2 Year Contract]

When you see those groups, you realize the amount of dross that will be there. No doubt it will throw up a few surprises and some classic games (like Qatar WC did) but it is hard to pick a true group of death out of that one.

True, the two groups below are probably the highest in quality. Norway are flying it at the minute so it’ll be interesting to see if they can get 2nd place ahead of Senegal.

Group I
France
Senegal
Iraq/Bolivia/Suriname
Norway

Group L
England
Croatia
Ghana
Panama

Even group L is a bit of a stretch to be honest, Ghana aren’t half the side they once were.

[Eirambler]

Would be a fun group if we qualified, would be good to not play any other European teams for a change. Tough draw for Scotland, but maybe having Haiti in there might save them, they could have gotten Italy as the Pot 4 team, which would have been a proper group of death. Knowing them they'll still find a way to get knocked out early.

France/Norway/Senegal/Bolivia probably the closest to a group of death.

[pineapple stu]

Dear lord that was a slow death

The RTÉ coverage was due to finish at 6:50 (I think BBC was the same) but it went on until 7:20. That's amateur hour stuff.

Controversial opinion here, but seeing the draw, I'm looking forward to the 48-team competition (sorry Stu!). Scotland v Haiti, Curacao v Germany, Spain v Cabo Verde (Pico Lopes will be delighted I'm sure), Argentina v Jordan, Portugal v Uzbekistan (that's a banana skin if Ronaldo is still playing) - it looks fascinating.

France will have nightmares about Senegal, and Norway in the group too. Poor Scotland get their 1998 group again, though with Haiti instead of Norway.

Can't see any of the big teams going out in the groups, but there's interesting games in there all the same. Just hope we're in there too.

True, the two groups below are probably the highest in quality. Norway are flying it at the minute so it’ll be interesting to see if they can get 2nd place ahead of Senegal.

They could challenge France for first I think. They're a serious team at the moment; they should be looking at the quarters at least. Senegal could help them as Senegal v France is an us v England game.

[Eirambler]

For what it's worth, using the world rankings as a guide, the three Pot 1 to Pot 3 teams that Ireland's playoff path was drawn with are ranked the lowest of the 12 groups (average ranking for the three teams is 33). In other words, it's about the best possible draw we could have gotten if we do go on to qualify.

[legendz]

ROUND OF 32
Runner up group A v Runner up group B
(B: Switzerland or UEFA A [Italy, Wales, Bosnia or N. Ireland].)
ROUND OF 16 v Group F winner or Group C runner up
(F: Netherlands or UEFA B [Ukraine, Sweden, Poland or Albania] v C: Morocco or Scotland.)

OR
ROUND OF 32
Winner A v 3rd Group C/E/F/H/I
ROUND OF 16 v Winner L or 3rd Group E/H/I/J/K
(L: England, Croatia or Ghana or ...)

OR
3rd Group A...!