Czech Republic vs Republic of Ireland – News and Probable Lineups

With just two victories standing between them and a coveted spot in the 2026 World Cup finals, the República Tcheca and the Republic of Irlanda are set to clash in Prague for their European playoff semi-final this Thursday evening.

The winner will earn the opportunity to host either Dinamarca or North Macedonia next week, with a place at this year’s global event in the balance.

Match overview

On the brink of another qualifying setback, the Republic of Irlanda dramatically achieved three consecutive wins to conclude their Group F campaign on a high note.

After a tense 1-0 win against Armênia, Troy Parrott scored twice to defeat 10-man Portugal in Dublin, followed by a remarkable hat-trick against Hungria that kept their World Cup aspirations alive.

Parrott’s last-minute goal ignited celebrations in Budapest and marked a rare away victory for the Boys in Green, but they now need to replicate such feats to remain in the race.

With the aim of reaching their first FIFA tournament since Korea/Japão 2002, where they famously reached the last 16, Irlanda has experience with World Cup playoffs.

Having missed out on the 1966, 1998, 2010, and 2018 tournaments, they secured a place in the 2002 finals by eliminating Irã through a controversial match in Tehran.

This time, Heimir Hallgrimsson’s squad needs to achieve four competitive wins consecutively—something the Republic has not accomplished since March 2007—to reach a deciding match.

Historically, Irlanda has only managed one win in nine previous visits to their upcoming destination—this includes matches against the former Czechoslovakia—so the past does not favor them.

The two teams last squared off in a February 2012 friendly, which finished in a 1-1 draw, and since the split of Czechoslovakia, República Tcheca has a slight advantage with three wins compared to two losses.
For the second consecutive World Cup qualifying campaign, the Czechs find themselves in the playoffs, having lost 1-0 in their semi-final against Suécia on the journey to Catar 2022.

Last autumn, they narrowly missed out on finishing at the top of Group L, falling short to Croácia, following a dispiriting 2-1 defeat to Faroe Islands which cost Ivan Hasek his managerial position.

Interim head coach Jaroslav Kostl has since passed the leadership to Miroslav Koubek, ex-coach of Viktoria Plzen and Slavia Prague.

Koubek now guides his nation into the European playoffs, where two consecutive home victories would propel them to this summer’s premier event.

In that scenario, they would face South Korea, África do Sul, and co-hosts México in the group stage, and history suggests that such a feat is achievable.

República Tcheca is currently unbeaten in their last 17 home qualifiers, boasting 13 victories since their defeat to Alemanha nearly nine years ago.

Team News

Hallgrimsson’s 25-man roster for the journey to Prague — and a possible playoff final in Dublin five days later — features several familiar names, including captain Nathan Collins, who has participated in every minute of this qualifying campaign.

Vice-captain Seamus Coleman could become Irlanda’s eighth-oldest outfield player if he is selected, while the adaptable Robbie Brady returns after an injury layoff.

However, both Festy Ebosele and Liam Scales will miss the match due to suspensions; Ryan Manning is likely to take the latter’s place at left wing-back.

For club and country, Parrott has netted 34 goals this season, but his potential strike partner Evan Ferguson will be absent due to an ankle issue.

Meanwhile, the home side continues to lean on veteran players like Vladimir Coufal and Tomas Soucek, while Bayer Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick is expected to start after scoring four goals in six qualifiers thus far.

Experienced winger Vaclav Cerny declined a call-up due to personal reasons, while Celtic’s Tomas Cvancara was not chosen, as new coach Koubek expressed concerns regarding his dedication.

Adam Hlozek will also miss out due to fitness concerns, but uncapped goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek has been called up after impressing during Braga’s run to the Europa League quarter-finals.

Czech Republic probable starting XI:

Blacksmith; Coufal, Vitik, Krejci, Jurasek; Cerv, Soucek; Provod, Sulc, Karabec; Chic

Republic of Irlanda probable starting XI:

Kelleher; Coleman, O’Brien, Collins, O’Shea, Manning; Molumby, Cullen, Azaz; Ogbene, Parrott

It has been nearly ten years since the Czechs last experienced a home qualifying defeat, and they are likely to be inspired by a change in management following disappointing losses to Croácia and the Faroes.

Irlanda’s surprising resurgence has brought a once distant dream a bit closer, but the valiant Boys in Green may fall just short against such seasoned opposition.