Overview

• Assistant coach Paddy McCarthy declared his expectation that Ireland will be in the United States next year for the World Cup.
• Heimir Hallgrímsson has retained John O’Shea and McCarthy with real coaching autonomy, which McCarthy says has helped create an energy shift among players, media and fans.
• Ireland open their qualifying campaign at home to Hungary on Saturday evening at Aviva Stadium.
• Game planning centers on protecting the space in front of the back four, tasking two holding midfielders to limit Dominik Szoboszlai while seeking chances between Hungary’s lines and from wide deliveries and set plays.
• Chiedozie Ogbene returns after a nine‑month Achilles rehab as attacking options brighten with a rejuvenated Evan Ferguson and the creativity of Finn Azaz, though Troy Parrott is absent.