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Colin O'Brien's Republic of Ireland Under-17s have booked their place at November's World Cup in Qatar.

It's the first time Ireland have made it to the 48-team tournament at the age grade. They are one of 11 European countries who have qualified, with the competition set to run from 3 to 27 November.

The UEFA European Under-17 Championship Elite Phase also acts as qualifiers for the World Cup.

The Boys in Green were in a group with Belgium, Poland and Iceland. They lost 1-0 to the Belgians last Thursday but bounced back by beating Poland 2-0 last Saturday and then hammering Iceland 5-0 today.

Belgium won the group, thus booking their ticket to the Euros, however Ireland are heading for Qatar as one of the best runners-up. Their final standing position of second in the group will see them miss out on the U17 Euros but put them among 11 European qualifiers for the November tournament.

Both Spain and the Netherlands missed out on qualification for the Euros and World Cup.

The Irish side wrapped up their group in style, cruising past the Icelanders thanks to goals from Jaden Umeh (2), Billy Canny, Finn Sherlock and Charles Akinrintoyo.

Speaking after qualification, O'Brien said his side were disappointed to miss out on Euros qualification but stressed his pride at making it to the World Cup.

"We came here with the belief that we could qualify for the Euros," he said.

"We knew there was a double prize at stake, and while we’re disappointed to not get to the European Championships, to reach a World Cup is an amazing achievement for the players and the staff. It’s a great achievement for our country.

"We knew the group would be tight and the squad of players is in a better place than they were in October. I had a good feeling we’d