Republic of Ireland begin 2026 World Cup qualifying hosting Hungary in Dublin

The Republic of Ireland has begun its 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign with a crucial home match against Hungary at the sold-out Aviva Stadium. Placed in a challenging group with Portugal, Hungary, and Armenia, Ireland aims to secure a strong start to build momentum, with hopes of winning the group for automatic qualification or finishing second to enter the play-offs. Manager Heimir Hallgrimsson and captain Nathan Collins have expressed confidence in the squad's quality and leadership, highlighting improved form and a solid defensive unit. With over 51,000 fans expected, the match holds significant importance as Hungary, unbeaten in their last 11 qualifying games, is seen as Ireland's primary competitor for the runner-up position behind favorites Portugal. Ireland's recent positive results against Hungary, including a 2-1 friendly win in 2024, bolster their confidence ahead of the encounter. The campaign is set to conclude by the end of the year, intensifying the pressure for Ireland to capitalize on this opportunity after previous unsuccessful qualifiers.