Four-time champions Italy will miss out on a third consecutive World Cup final after losing on penalties to Bosnia and Herzegovina in their European qualifying playoff for the 2026 edition. With the match level at 1-1 after extra time, Bosnia secured the spot kicks 4-1, as the Italians, reduced to 10 men in the first … Read more
In the aftermath of Ireland’s elimination in Prague it felt as though the future had been cancelled. But tomorrow the future arrives in the form of our partners in suffering, North Macedonia. Football is telling us that the future is happening, whether we like it or not, so it’s time to start getting our heads … Read more
Sammie Szmodics will remain in a Prague hospital overnight following a sickening collision with Czech Republic defender Stepan Chaloupek near the end of extra-time as the Republic of Ireland lost the World Cup playoff at the Fortuna Arena on penalties. “Sammie was unconscious on the ground, but we have good doctors and they took care … Read more
Goalkeeper Matej Kovar saved two penalties in a shootout to take the Czech Republic past Ireland in their 2026 World Cup play-off in Prague on Thursday. Eyeing their first World Cup berth since 2006, the Czechs now face Denmark in the play-off final in Prague on March 31 for a ticket to the tournament hosted … Read more
We’re reluctant to remind you that Ireland’s play-off record isn’t the best. Along the way, we had a melee in Turkey, joy in Iran and scandal in Paris. There was rarely a dull moment. We take you through 30 years of highs and lows. [ The most memorable moments from Ireland’s playoff historyOpens in new window ] … Read more
Czech Republic v Republic of Ireland, Fortuna Arena, Prague, 7.45pm – Live on RTÉ2 A quiet confidence emanated from the Republic of Ireland squad as all 25 players, uncapped newcomers and veterans alike, were put through their paces inside the Fortuna Arena in Prague on Wednesday morning. Séamus Coleman joined Heimir Hallgrímsson for a press … Read more
Here we go again, collectively. Keep it together at the back. Hang in there. Take a scrappy chance. Can this Republic of Ireland team find some way to do it against Czech Republic on Thursday, and then somehow do it once more next Tuesday in the Aviva and beat either Denmark or North Macedonia to … Read more
How Troy Parrott factor will influence Ireland v Czech Republic What’s happening? The Republic of Ireland are playing the Czech Republic in a playoff semi-final in the hope of qualifying for this summer’s World Cup co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico. When and where? The game will be played on Thursday evening, kick-off 7.45pm … Read more
Hundreds of Republic of Ireland fans arrived in Prague on Wednesday hopeful about the team’s World Cup playoff chances but relieved at making it to the Czech capital in the first place. Gavin Kelleher and James Doyle spent the night trying to sleep in Manchester Airport after a day of travel chaos. “We just got … Read more
Czech Republic manager Miroslav Koubek has taken issue with how his comment last month about Ireland playing “island football” was interpreted by some as claiming the Irish team had a “primitive” approach to the game. “I never said ‘primitive’. Please don’t put words in my mouth,” Koubek said in reply to an Irish journalist’s question … Read more