Ireland Builds Confidence After Senegal Draw Ahead World Cup Qualifiers

The Republic of Ireland's national soccer team, under manager Heimir Hallgrimsson, is showing growing confidence heading into the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, despite a 1-1 draw against a strong Senegal side at the Aviva Stadium. Kasey McAteer scored his first international goal, and the team's disciplined defensive performance limited Senegal's chances, a side ranked 19th in the FIFA world rankings and unbeaten in 21 matches. Hallgrimsson emphasized the importance of patience and quick decision-making, acknowledging that Ireland must play strategically against possession-dominant teams and take chances when they arise. While the team’s recent results and structure provide optimism, former Ireland international Kevin Kilbane expressed skepticism about qualification prospects, citing past disappointing campaigns and inconsistent performances. Ireland's upcoming qualifiers will test their progress as they face tough opponents including Portugal, Hungary, and Armenia. The match against Senegal, featuring several Premier League players, was seen as a valuable preparation for the challenging qualifiers ahead.