THE Republic of Ireland have been drawn in a challenging, but not absolutely intimidating, group for qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
The Boys in Green will face the winners of the Portugal v Denmark Nations League quarter-final as well as Hungary and Armenia.
The winner of each group will qualify automatically for the finals tournament which will be jointly hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico while the second-placed country will take part in a play-off round.
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill will also see a potential route to the finals in 2026. The North are in Group A alongside the winner of the Germany/Italy Nations League clash as well as Slovakia and Luxembourg.
World Cup 2026 Qualifying:
Group A: Winner of Germany/Italy, Slovakia, Northern Ireland, Luxembourg
Group B: Switzerland, Sweden, Slovenia, Kosovo
Group C: Loser of Portugal/Denmark, Greece, Scotland, Belarus
Group D: Winner of France/Croatia, Ukraine, Iceland, Azerbaijan
Group E: Winner of Spain v Netherlands, Turkey, Georgia, Bulgaria
Group F: Winner of Portugal/Denmark, Hungary, Republic of Ireland, Armenia
Group G: Loser of Spain/Netherlands, Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Malta
Group H: Austria, Romania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Cyprus, San Marino
Group I: Loser of Germany/Italy, Norway, Israel, Estonia, Moldova
Group J: Belgium, Wales, North Macedonia, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein
Group K: England, Serbia, Albania, Latvia, Andorra
Group L: Loser of France/Croatia, Czech Republic, Montenegro, Faroe Islands and Gibraltar
