Ireland Could Face Historic Fixture As Path Through World Cup Play-Offs Revealed

Republic of Ireland could be involved in a historic fixture if they are to qualify for the World Cup through the play-off round.

Heimir Hallgrimsson's side secured a spot in the play-offs via a dramatic 3-2 win over Hungary on Sunday afternoon.

Ireland, who went into the game knowing they had to beat second-placed Hungary to leapfrog them in the table, went 1-0 and 2-1 down, but former Tottenham striker Troy Parrott scored a dramatic 96th-minute winner.

As things stand, they are set to enter pot three out of four for the 16-team play-off phase, which are decided by current FIFA world ranking positions.

They would then have to defeat a team from pot two in the semi-finals, before taking on the winner of the other semi-final - between a team from pot one and pot four - for a spot in the 2026 World Cup.

While the qualified teams for the opening three pots depends on the results of the remaining qualifiers, Republic of Ireland already know their potential pot four opponents if they are placed in pot three.

That is because the final four qualification spots were allocated to sides who didn't reach the play-offs via their group but instead via their 2024/25 Nations League finishing positions.

Sweden, Romania, North Macedonia and Northern Ireland will be in pot four.

Therefore, they could face Northern Ireland in a competitive fixture for the 12th time in history for a place at the World Cup.

In all of those previous fixtures, a direct qualification place for the World Cup has never been on the line.

In the semi-final, both Wales and Scotland are potential opponents.

How Ireland can be placed in pot two

Republic of Ireland will be placed in pot three unless one of two scenarios takes place.

As per Twitter account Football Rankings, either Ukraine would need to fail to beat Iceland, or Wales would need to fail to beat North Macedonia, along with Bosnia and Herzegovina failing to beat Austria, for Hallgrimsson's side to be pushed up into pot two.

Another scenario that could change Ireland's fate is the upcoming FIFA rankings update, which takes place on November 19 - the day before the play-off draw.

As per the live FIFA rankings projection, however, Ireland would still be in pot three as things stand, while the teams in pot one would also stay the same.

A spot in pot two would create a potential match-up against Kosovo, who Ireland have never faced at international level.

Either way, they are guaranteed to avoid Euro 2020 champions Italy in the semi-finals, who will be placed into pot one courtesy of their FIFA ranking after finishing second in their group behind Norway.