2026 FIFA World Cup

briany · 25-03-2026 02:23PM

Feel bad for North Macedonia where the game v. Denmark seems to be viewed by pundits as a mere formality. Sure, the odds might be against them (as they are against Ireland for the Czechia game) but it's not as if they're incapable of pulling off an upset.

orangerhyme · 25-03-2026 02:28PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124339702#Comment_124339702

Danes missing a few defenders.

Could be an upset.

AndyBoBandy · 25-03-2026 02:36PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124339719#Comment_124339719

Either way lets hope it goes all the way to extra time, with hopefully a few more lads (from either side) picking up knocks.

~Rebel~ · 25-03-2026 08:24PM

Yeah, that North Macedonia side is not half bad… the fact it's in Denmark definitely hurts them, but they do have it in them to dig in and cause an upset. They've pulled off a lot of draws against big teams in particular, like getting draws home and away against top-seeds Belgium in their qualifiers.

briany · 26-03-2026 01:00AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124340627#Comment_124340627

That Macedonia team is only 7 places behind Ireland in the FIFA rankings, but seem to be getting treated as minnows by most pundits. Puts some of the optimism around Ireland's chances in perspective.

Greengrass53 · 26-03-2026 01:14AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124339702#Comment_124339702

How bad do you feel for them?

briany · 26-03-2026 01:24AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124341189#Comment_124341189

Yes

orangerhyme · 26-03-2026 01:57AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124341176#Comment_124341176

They're not minnows but they've a small population with few big players.

They've drawn with Belgium home and away recently though so they're definitely tricky opponents.

Could be an upset. The Danes are missing a few defenders.

AndyBoBandy · 26-03-2026 08:14AM

Macedonia's last major tournament: Euro 2020 (held in 2021)

Irelands last major tournament: Euro 2016

They have better recent qualifying form than us.

If they are minnows, then so are we..

8-10 · 26-03-2026 09:56AM

1997 nightmares

Manc-Red_ · 26-03-2026 12:03PM

Game’s on worldwide tv for those interested

USTV

Krazy gang · 26-03-2026 04:39PM

Hard to see n Ireland having much chance away to Italy. Especially without Bradley and ballard, their 2 top defenders.

Wales should win . Very strong at home and Harry Wilson in the form of his life

adaminho · 26-03-2026 08:21PM

Turkey won 1-0 vs Romania

citytillidie · 26-03-2026 11:56PM

Play-offs Results
UEFA
Semi-Finals
Path A
Italy 2 V 0 Northern Ireland
Wales 1 V 1 Bosnia and Herzegovina AET Bosnia and Herzegovina win on pens 4-2

Path B
Poland 2 V 1 Albania
Ukraine 1 V 3 Sweden

Path C
Türkiye 1 V 0 Romania
Slovakia 3 V 4 Kosovo

Path D
Czechia 2 V 2 Ireland AET Czechia win on pens 4-3
Denmark 4 V 0 North Macedonia

UEFA Play-offs
Finals
Tuesday 31st March
Path A
Bosnia and Herzegovina V Italy - (19:45)

Path B
Sweden V Poland - (19:45)

Path C
Kosovo V Türkiye - (19:45)

Path D
Czechia V Denmark - (19:45)

thebaz · 27-03-2026 12:30AM

Wales also out by pens, were winning 1 nil

RoryMac · 27-03-2026 01:10AM

Some good ties there. Bosnia will give Italy a serious game at home but the extra time tonight might go against them

~Rebel~ · 27-03-2026 01:35AM

Huge win for Potter and the Swedes - might they finally start looking like the sum of their parts? Big chance against Poland now… and if they make it to the World Cup, they'll likely have Isak back by then as well.

8-10 · 27-03-2026 10:04AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124344431#Comment_124344431

It's an interesting lineup of fixtures because if you were talking about neutral ground I think Italy, Poland, Türkiye and Denmark are all favourites but the fact that they are all the away team next week evens up the ties a bit more. In Sweden's case they are actually showing as favourites against Poland despite being incredibly crap for a few years now. Would be mad if they qualified

adaminho · 27-03-2026 10:41AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124344754#Comment_124344754

If Sweden qualify it might put to rest the idea that the Nations league is a mickey mouse competition.

8-10 · 27-03-2026 10:51AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124344857#Comment_124344857

I think Georgia already proved that by bombing in Euro 2024 qualifying but getting through the Nations League League C playoffs and getting to the Last 16 in the tournament

Both us and them finished 4th in qualifying group but we stayed at home

Hammer Archer · 27-03-2026 11:01AM

Bolivia and Jamaica through to the intercontinental playoff final. Bolivia came from 1-0 down in the second half against Suriname to win 2-1. It would be Bolivia's first World Cup since 1994. Jamaica had a tougher than expected 1-0 win against New Caledonia. DR Congo play Jamaica while Iraq play Bolivia next Tuesday/Wednesday Irish time with the two winners qualifying.

jacool · 27-03-2026 01:20PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124344907#Comment_124344907

Bolivia are one, winnable, game away from boosting the CONMEBOL percentage qualified to 70%!

citytillidie · 27-03-2026 03:19PM

Play-offs
Inter-Confederation
Semi-Final Results
Path 1
New Caledonia 0 V 1 Jamaica

Path 2
Bolivia 2 V 1 Suriname

Finals
Path 1
Tuesday 31st March
Congo DR V Jamaica - (22:00)

Path 2
Wednesday 1st April
Iraq V Bolivia - (04:00)

BOHSBOHS · 27-03-2026 04:15PM

CONMEBOL have it ridiculously easy now in terms of qualifying - if bolivia qualify -could potentially have the worst qualifying record ever? (only won 6 of their 18 qualifying group games)