Republic of Ireland World Cup 2026 squad: Heimir Hallgrímsson's latest selection ahead of the play-offs

The Republic of Ireland World Cup 2026 squad is shaping up, as with what they hope will be two qualifying play-offs ahead of them this month, the Republic of Ireland are within touching distance of World Cup 2026.

Heimir Hallgrimsson's team must negotiate a tricky trip to Prague for a play-off semi-final against Czech Republic. The winner will face Denmark or North Macedonia at home for a place at World Cup 2026, and will join the other World Cup squads in North America.

Whichever team makes it through won't be among the favourites at the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico in the summer but getting there is the be all and end all of their spring international breaks.

The Republic of Ireland earned a spot in their UEFA play-off path by finishing second in qualifying Group F. Troy Parrott's sensational hat-trick in Budapest ensured that the Boys in Green clinched second ahead of Hungary.

Ireland won half of their qualification matches and will need to improve that run rate over the course of the next two games. If they can beat the Czech Republic, their reward will be home advantage in Dublin with a finals berth up for grabs.

Hallgrimsson's goal is to take Ireland to their first World Cup finals since their famous and indeed infamous participation at World Cup 2002. Almost a quarter of a century on, a return to an expanded tournament is so close they can taste it.

The Icelandic manager's squad this month is made up almost entirely from players in the Premier League and EFL, the exceptions being Parrott of AZ and Celtic defender Liam Scales.

Squad

Republic of Ireland World Cup 2026 squad: The March selection

• GK: Caoimhin Kelleher (Brentford)
• GK: Mark Travers (Everton)
• GK: Josh Keeley (Luton Town)
• DF: Seamus Coleman (Everton)
• DF: Robbie Brady (Preston North End)
• DF: Dara O'Shea (Ipswich Town)
• DF: John Egan (Hull City)
• DF: Nathan Collins (Brentford)
• DF: Ryan Manning (Southampton)
• DF: Liam Scales (Celtic)
• DF: Jake O'Brien (Everton)
• DF: Jimmy Dunne (Queens Park Rangers)
• DF: James Abankwah (Watford)
• MF: Jason Knight (Bristol City)
• MF: Alan Browne (Middlesbrough)
• MF: Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion)
• MF: Finn Azaz (Southampton)
• MF: Jack Taylor (Ipswich Town)
• MF: Bosun Lawal (Stoke City)
• MF: Harvey Vale (Queens Park Rangers)
• FW: Adam Idah (Swansea City)
• FW: Troy Parrott (AZ)
• FW: Chiedozie Ogbene (Sheffield United)
• FW: Sammie Szmodics (Derby County)
• FW: Johnny Kenny (Bolton Wanderers)

Fixtures and results

Fixtures

• March 26, 2026: Czech Republic vs Republic of Ireland, Fortuna Arena, Prague, Czech Republic

Recent results

• November 16, 2025: Hungary 2-3 Republic of Ireland, Puskas Arena, Budapest, Hungary
• November 13: Republic of Ireland 2-0 Portugal, Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Republic of Ireland
• October 14: Republic of Ireland 1-0 Armenia, Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Republic of Ireland
• October 11: Portugal 1-0 Republic of Ireland, Estadio Jose Alvalade, Lisbon
• September 9: Armenia 2-1 Republic of Ireland, Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium, Yerevan
• September 6: Republic of Ireland 2-2 Hungary, Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Republic of Ireland

Manager

Who is Republic of Ireland's manager?

After spending his entire playing and coaching career in Iceland, Heimir Hallgrimsson became a familiar face thanks to his nation's performance at the European Championship in 2016.

Notably knocking out England, Iceland were jointly managed by Hallgrimsson and Lars Lagerback, who departed after the tournament to leave Hallgrimsson, now 58, in sole charge.

A subsequent spell in Qatari football was followed by a couple of years in charge of Jamaica's national team before he was appointed as Stephen Kenny's permanent successor with Ireland in 2024.

Republic of Ireland's Star Player

Who is Republic of Ireland's star player?

24-year-old Troy Parrott has emerged as the key man in Hallgrimsson's attacking corps, a status settled once and for all by his crucial hat-trick at the Puskas Arena late last year.

Parrott has an international scoring rate a shade under one goal every three matches and is flourishing in club football too. After several loans away from Tottenham Hotspur, the striker switched to AZ in the Netherlands in 2024 and has become a regular first-team scorer in the Eredivisie.

If Ireland can overcome the Czech Republic, Parrott will get a chance to lead them to a long overdue World Cup place with a win in his home city.

Best XI