2026 WORLD CUP GROUP F QUALIFIER
Republic of Ireland v Hungary, Aviva Stadium, 7.45pm
ONLINE
Live blog, match report and reaction on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app.
TV
Live coverage starts at 7pm on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player.
RADIO
Live build-up and commentary on Saturday Sport Extra, RTÉ Radio 1.
WEATHER
It'll be overcast, with some scattered showers during the day. Expect a fresh breeze around Lansdowne Road, and highest temperatures of 17 or 18 degrees.
I saw his face, now Heimir believer...
There's nothing like a new qualification campaign to energise a fan base.
The Republic of Ireland haven't made it to a World Cup since 2002, but it feels like something could be stirring under Heimir Hallgrimsson, who has the calm demeanour of a man you'd trust with a drill near your gums.
Last week's announcement that the FAI are going to introduce a voluntary redundancy programme - and potentially compulsory job losses - was a stark reminder of the very real challenges facing those at the coalface of Irish football.
Hallgrimsson hasn't shied away from the reality that the FAI are in dire need of the financial boost World Cup qualification would provide.
The stakes are high, but there's been enough evidence over the last 12 months to suggest the amiable Icelander has the chops to at least give it a decent lash in this campaign. The Boys in Green are third seeds and ranked 60th in the world, and yet there's belief in the ranks they can punch above their weight over the next two months.
Assistant coach Paddy McCarthy peeled the paint off the walls during a passionate press conference earlier this week, during which he declared: "My expectation is we're going to be in America next year."
There's been plenty of fighting talk from various players/coaches/managers over the last few years; now is the time to deliver.
Ireland really have to win this game. Do that and Hallgrimsson will have a precious commodity that eluded his predecessor Stephen Kenny: positive momentum.
Hungary the favourites - but are there cracks to exploit?
The Hungarians come to Dublin fancied to nab second place in the group behind top seeds Portugal and thus head to the play-offs.
However there's a vulnerabilty in Marco Rossi's side that Ireland will hope to exploit.
Dominik Szoboszlai is their star man, a powerhouse midfielder capable of producing spectacular moments, as witnessed against Arsenal at Anfield last Sunday.
He'll be used centrally and higher up the pitch against Ireland, with Hungary playing through their captain and best player.
Hungary have scored seven goals in their last 10 games; Szoboszlai netted four of them.
The fact so much of Hungary's attacking play flows through one man arguably simplifies Ireland's defensive task. Stop Szoboszlai, nullify the visiting attack.
Hallgrimsson will be very keen to shore up the area in front of his back line to ensure the Liverpool 24-year-old doesn't get any time and space to uncork one of his thunderbolts against old clubmate Caoimhin Kelleher.
McCarthy alluded to that when revealing Ireland will go with "two number sixes", adding, "... there is going to be a real onus on both of the number sixes to be in that position to make sure nobody gets a free hit, nobody drifts into that area".
Hungary's 2-1 victory over Azerbaijan in a June friendly was just their second win in eight away games. They also lost 2-1 at the Aviva in a friendly 15 months ago.
A decent side, yes - but beatable.
Evan knows he's not miserable now
West Ham nightmare over, Evan Ferguson looks a striker reborn in Rome. Hallgrimsson is without the injured Troy Parrott, who had made a superb start to the season with AZ Alkmaar, so the focus on Ferguson is intensified.
Put simply, Ireland need the 20-year-old to be on song here. At his best, Ferguson is capable pf occupying two centre-halves. He's clever, strong, and technically good; a target man well able to suck up possession and bring others into play.
"It's a different kind of football in Italy, congested spaces, a lot of physicality, normally Italian centre-backs don't give you any slack," Hallgrimsson said. "Evan will need to fight for every step, and this is what I have seen from him. He is much sharper, quicker too, to move easier, he looks leaner."
The return of Chiedozie Ogbene is also a major boost. The Corkman gives Ireland another dimension, both with and without the ball.
Throw the industrious Sammie Szmodics into the mix and you have a hard-working, tenacious trio capable of causing problems.
Any late fitness concerns?
Liam Scales rolled his ankle against Rangers last Sunday but has fully recovered. Everyone else who reported to camp is good to go, including the newbie Johnny Kenny, who was called up to offer extra attacking cover after Parrott pulled out.
The manager's view
Heimir Hallgrimsson: "The quality in this team is big, it's bigger than when I had Iceland, and we achieved what we did. There is more individual quality in this team. The team building thing is what gives me confidence.
"We can't ask more people to come, because it’s a sellout. But for those who come, definitely the same message that we have said before; come to create the atmosphere, come to become the 12th man, to make the atmosphere, don’t come just to enjoy it, make it happen with us, and together we can do amazing things."
What happens next?
After hosting Hungary, Ireland will head to Yerevan for a potentially awkward meeting with bottom seeds Armenia. They then take a break until October when they'll travel to Portugal before welcoming the Armenians to Dublin. The final window in November throws up an Aviva Stadium showdown against Portugal and an away day in Hungary.
Watch Republic of Ireland v Hungary in World Cup qualifying on Saturday from 7pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Listen to live radio commentary on RTÉ Radio 1.
