Ireland drawn with either Portugal or Denmark, Hungary and Armenia for 2026 World Cup

Republic of Ireland have been placed in a group with Hungary, Armenia and the winners of the Portugal/Denmark Nations League quarter-final as the draw for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers was made in Zurich this morning.

Heimir Hallgrimsson's side had known of the likelihood they would be drawn in a four-team group due to their involvement in March's Nations League promotion/relegation play-off against Bulgaria.

Placed in Pot 3, Ireland are not yet certain as to the identity of their top seeded opponents, which will hinge on the outcome of March's two-legged Nations League quarter-final between Portugal and Denmark. Ireland will be facing the winners of that tie in Group F.

Ireland were also drawn alongside second seeds Hungary, who are seeking to reach a first World Cup since 1986. They have, however, reached the last three European Championships, exiting in the group phase in the summer despite scoring a late winner against Scotland.

The moment Ireland learned the third and final Group F opponent for next year's World Cup qualifiers.

Heimir Hallgrimsson's side have been drawn against either Portugal or Denmark, Hungary and Armenia in a four-team 2026 World Cup qualifying grouphttps://t.co/ew9NC5bk5T pic.twitter.com/2qvltsZV50

It will be Ireland's first competitive meeting against Hungary since the Italia 90 qualification campaign, when a 2-0 win at Lansdowne Road set the hosts on the road to a first ever World Cup appearance.

The pair have met twice in friendlies in the current decade, with a goalless draw in Budapest in 2021 before Ireland's rather fortuitious 2-1 victory in the Aviva Stadium last June, Troy Parrott nabbing an unlikely win with an injury-time goal.

GROUP F
Portugal/Dernmark (winners Nations League