Soccer
Can the Republic of Ireland pull off more heroics in World Cup play-offs?
Watch World Cup archive & programmes FREE on DAZN
Over the next week or so, the final six teams will be confirmed for this summer's 2026 World Cup, following the end of the nail-biting play-offs.
It's a last-chance saloon for the teams involved, with each coming into the games with their own narrative around qualifying for the festivities in North America.
For the Republic of Ireland, it's a position that most of their qualifying campaign looked unlikely to be part of, but after a dramatic final surge, they've given themselves a fighting chance of making the tournament.
So, can Heimir Hallgrímsson's side pull off more dramatics and head to their first finals since 2002?
The last World Cup Ireland took part in
All the best goals from World Cup 2002
Green Day
With three games left to play in their qualifying group, Ireland stood a point off Hungary and looked like having a mountain to climb with games against group leaders Portugal and then a trip to Budapest to play the Hungarians in the final game.
A win over Armenia in October set the Irish up nicely for the final two showdowns, where they produced two memorable victories that brought to life the fighting spirit the country's football team had been known for.
They unexpectedly saw off Portugal with a 2-0 win in Dublin, but the win looked to be in vain as three days later they quickly fell 2-1 behind to Hungary and saw their World Cup hopes fading.
Step forward, Troy Parrott. Having netted a brace against the Portuguese, the striker completed his hat-trick, with the clincher coming in the 96th-minute to send Ireland into the play-offs.
The win sparked pandemonium from the Irish bench as their World Cup dream remained alive, but now they have it all to do again as they navigate two huge play-off games.
Ireland of Troy
If The Boys in Green are to overcome the odds once again, they'll need their key men to repeat what they did last November - especially Parrott, who could be the top level striker the Irish have been crying out for since Robbie Keane hung up his boots.
“Troy Parrott is the key player for Ireland." Former Republic striker Kevin Doyle exclusivly told DAZN News, thanks to Casino.org Ireland.
"Troy Parrott being fit, not just to score a goal, just being fit and how he gets us up the pitch, takes the pressure off, is vital.
“Troy Parrott – there's one player I don't want to lose.”
Yet, at the other end, Hallgrímsson's men will know they will need to keep things tight as they get set to take on Czechia on Thursday in Prague.
The Irish only conceded seven goals in qualifying, as many as group winners Portugal, and they'll be looking to the experience amongst the backline to give them a fighting chance of making it through the semi-final.
Getty
"Nathan Collins has everything to be a top centre-half," Doyle added.
If he switches on for ninety minutes – and he has done in the last two games, he was excellent for us - but he has made mistakes during games.
“He has played for three or four different Premier League clubs, but I think he's starting to make a bit of progress and get that out of his system because he's great on the ball, he's strong, quick, good, and everything you want in a top centre-half.
“If he can keep switched on and sharp, he's vital for us. Caoimhin Kelleher, we're so lucky to have him, top goalie.
“But Nathan Collins is key to me if he can concentrate for the full game, hopefully, the two playoff games. I'm so impressed with him the majority of the time."
Can Ireland do it again?
Ireland's final route to the finals isn't an easy one.
The Czech's were only squeezed out of automatic qualification by Croatia and haven't lost at home in nearly four years. But under their Icelandic coach, the Irish's form last year has vastly improved. Making them harder to break down and capable of hurting teams when given the opportunity - using either Parrot's mobility or the hold-up play of Evan Ferguson to great effect.
If they do manage another memorable night in Prague, the reward would be a home tie against either Denmark or North Macedonia next Tuesday.
Getty
The Danes have already collapsed under the pressure not far from Irish shores, when they were beaten by Scotland in their final group game to deny them a World Cup place, and a similar feverish atmosphere in Dublin could well see them shirval once again.
North Macedonia present a different task. A more stubborn, workmanlike side, they frustrated Wales and Belgium in the qualifiers, but given the home advantage, you'd back Ireland to do the job.
Before they can prepare for that possibility, it's mission Prague, where there's no doubt they'll need some of that cliched luck of the Irish to defeat Czechnia, but they've already shown they are a side of so much more than that.
And now the fitting crescendo could be a one-off shot in Dublin with a World Cup finals return at stake.
Watch World Cup archive, highlights, and documentaries for FREE on DAZN
DAZN is the home of FIFA+ , a vast library of football on-demand content including World Cup archive, iconic documentaries, player profiles, live matches, and both full match replays and highlights.
Watch it all for FREE on DAZN on smart TVs, phones, tablets, streaming devices, games consoles, and web browsers.
FIFA+ includes:
- FIFA World Cup archive - full match replays of all matches from Brazil 1970 to Qatar 2022
- World Cup goals - the best goals from each tournament; every goal from every nation from every tournament
- Original documentaries - including Mo: A Global Icon; Golden Boot: The Documentary; After Diego
- Icons of the game - From Pelé to Cristiano Ronaldo
- Behind-the-scenes content
- Live matches from around the world
