Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Security checks ahead of this month's Lusail Super Cup, where crowd management was reportedly quite chaotic

Qatar conscripts civilians for World Cup security roles

Qatar has called up hundreds of civilians, including diplomats summoned back from overseas, for mandatory military service operating security checkpoints at World Cup stadiums, according to a source and documents seen by Reuters.

Soccer • 27 Sep 22

Andrew Redmayne is mobbed by his Australia team-mates after saving the decisive spot-kick

Australia reach World Cup after shootout win over Peru

Australia secured their fifth straight appearance at the World Cup finals by beating Peru 5-4 on penalties in their qualifying play-off in Qatar.

Soccer • 14 Jun 22

Ajdin Hrustic celebrates scoring Australia's winner

Australia beat UAE to set up Peru World Cup showdown

A late deflected goal from Ajdin Hrustic edged Australia to a 2-1 win over the United Arab Emirates in their Asia World Cup qualifier play-off at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Qatar.

Soccer • 07 Jun 22

Wales celebrate after the final whistle in Cardiff

Wales break Ukrainian hearts to qualify for World Cup

Gareth Bale's deflected free-kick earned Wales a 1-0 win over Ukraine in Cardiff and qualified the home side for a first World Cup since 1958.

Soccer • 05 Jun 22

Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Doha is the venue for the intercontinental play-offs

Final World Cup play-offs set for Qatar in June

The final two places at this year's World Cup will be decided in Qatar in June.

Soccer • 04 May 22

Australia's Mathew Leckie is brought down against Oman in their 2-2 draw

Setback for Australia, South Korea book World Cup spot

Australia's hopes of automatic qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar were rocked by a late Abdullah Fawaz penalty as Oman claimed a 2-2 draw with Graham Arnold's side in Muscat on Tuesday.

Soccer • 01 Feb 22

Alcohol will be available at the World Cup in Qatar, but don't expect to see Denmark's Thomas Delaney sharing a pint with fans pitchside

Boozing at the World Cup - Qatar style

Celebrating a win or mourning a loss will be a very different experience for many fans at next year's World Cup in Qatar, with alcohol set to have a less visible presence due to local Islamic customs.

Soccer • 20 Nov 21

Gerson Rodrigues bagged two more international goals (file pic)

Luxembourg tighten grip on third with Azerbaijan win

Two goals from that man Gerson Rodrigues were the difference as Luxembourg beat Azerbaijan 3-1 to tighten their grip on third spot in Group A.

Soccer • 11 Nov 21

Callum Robinson explained to the media on Tuesday his decision not be get vaccinated against Covid-19

No 'radical' FAI stance as Robinson among unvaccinated

Stephen Kenny is unwilling to take the "radical" decision to only pick Covid-vaccinated players for international duty, following the revelation that a good chunk of his squad have chosen not to take the jab.

Soccer • 06 Oct 21

Chiedozie Ogbene is back in the Ireland squad after missing the September games through injury

Leaving Nemo - Ogbene lauds father's 'best decision'

Chiedozie Ogbene turned his back on the chance of being a county star in Cork to chase his dream to become a professional footballer.

Soccer • 07 Oct 21

Jamie McGrath is going back to Baku looking for the win

Back to Baku, McGrath hoping to get permit to play

Jamie McGrath is hoping to bring back better memories from Baku compared with his last visit to the Azerbaijan capital, which led to an impromptu police escort off some private property, coupled with a disappointing 3-0 Champions League defeat.

Soccer • 07 Oct 21

The Baku Olympic Stadium will welcome Ireland

Ireland supporters' guide to Baku

While Dundalk supporters may be familiar with Baku, given their 2019 Champions League clash with Qarabag, not too many other Irish fans will know much about the venue for Ireland's World Cup qualifying clash with Azerbaijan. Here's what you need to know.

Soccer • 04 Oct 21

Will Keane in action for Wigan earlier this season

Kenny outlines attacking attributes of new man Keane

Ireland manager Stephen Kenny has outlined the attributes of new recruit Will Keane ahead of next week's World Cup qualifier in Azerbaijan.

Soccer • 30 Sep 21

Goalscorers Giacomo Raspadori and Moise Kean celebrate during Italy's 5-0 win in Reggio Emilia

World Cup qualifier round-up: Euro champs Italy win big

Italy recorded their first win since being crowned European champions as strikers Moise Kean and Giacomo Raspadori inspired a crushing 5-0 win over Lithuania to strengthen their grip on top spot in World Cup qualifying Group C.

Soccer • 08 Sep 21

Damian Szymanski's aerial prowess earned his side a draw

Super-sub Szymanski scores as Poland and England draw

England were denied victory at the death in Poland as substitute Damian Szymanski cancelled out Harry Kane's stunner in Wednesday's World Cup qualifier.

Soccer • 08 Sep 21

Andrew Omobamidele tracks Dusan Tadic of Serbia

Player ratings: Omobamidele excels for gutsy Irish

The Republic of Ireland are still waiting on their first competitive win under Stephen Kenny, but they produced the most encouraging display of his reign so far as a spirited fightback earned a draw with Serbia. Here's how we rated the players.

Soccer • 07 Sep 21

James McClean has hit out at the attitude of the Irish media

McClean: Irish media 'get a kick' out of our failings

Republic of Ireland player James McClean has claimed that the Irish media "get a kick out" of the struggles of Stephen Kenny's side.

Soccer • 06 Sep 21

Stephen Kenny believes his players have shown confidence despite results

Republic of Ireland v Serbia: All you need to know

Stephen Kenny's Republic of Ireland are in search of a first competitive victory as Serbia visit the Aviva Stadium.

Soccer • 07 Sep 21

Will Ireland's wretched luck turn in this campaign?

Ireland v Azerbaijan: All You Need To Know

Stephen Kenny's Republic of Ireland can't afford to lose the goodwill generated by the Portugal display as Azerbaijan arrive in town this weekend

Soccer • 03 Sep 21

Ireland have lost three times to Wales since the victory in Cardiff in November 2017

Four-year run of results spells out size of job ahead

Ireland's run of results since the beginning of 2017 marks this era out as one of the low-points in Irish football history

Soccer • 30 Mar 21

'Being undefeated in the first two games isn't the worst start and hopefully we can build on that on Wednesday night'

Scots 'heading in right direction' despite win-less run

Full-back Stephen O'Donnell believes Scotland are still heading in the right direction as they seek the first win of their World Cup qualifying campaign.

Soccer • 29 Mar 21

Dara O'Shea and Gavin Bazunu leave the pitch after Ireland's 1-0 loss to Luxembourg

Player ratings: Bazunu and Coleman best on grim night

Gavin Bazunu and Seamus Coleman fared the best of the Irish players on a bleak night for the national team

Soccer • 27 Mar 21

Shane Duffy (L) and Dara O'Shea during training on Friday

Dara O'Shea praises 'amazing' Duffy for his support

Dara O'Shea said Shane Duffy has offered him huge support in the background despite the young West Brom defender usurping the experienced Derryman at the heart of the Republic of Ireland defence.

Soccer • 27 Mar 21

Troy Parrott travelled to Serbia but did not make the matchday 23

Parrott could feature against Luxembourg

Stephen Kenny confirmed that Troy Parrott is in contention to feature in Ireland's World Cup qualifier against Luxembourg on Saturday evening at the Aviva Stadium.

Soccer • 26 Mar 21

Germany players wear T-shirts which spell out 'Human Rights' prior to the clash against Iceland

Updated Low backs German players protest, Dutch to follow suit

Germany's players made an important statement by displaying support for migrant workers building 2022 World Cup stadiums in Qatar, coach Joachim Low has stressed, adding that the team stands for human rights, "no matter the location".

Soccer • 26 Mar 21