Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Emily Scarratt of England celebrates with teammates following the team's victory in the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 Final match between Canada and England at Allianz Stadium on September 27, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Morgan Harlow - World Rugby/

England's Scarratt retires after second World Cup win

England great Emily Scarratt, who holds the record for scoring the most points for the national team and helped them win two Rugby World Cups, has retired at the age of 35.

Rugby • 21 Oct

14 October 2025; Nathan Collins of Republic of Ireland heads on goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F qualifying match between Republic of Ireland and Armenia at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Collins relishing uphill task for Ireland

Republic of Ireland skipper Nathan Collins is relishing the prospect of having to beat Portugal and Hungary to make it to next summer's World Cup finals.

Soccer • 15 Oct

10 October 2025; Trai Hume of Northern Ireland, right, celebrates with teammate Daniel Ballard after scoring their side's second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Northern Ireland and Slovakia at Clearer Twist National Football S

O'Neill hails 'magnificent' NI after Slovakia victory

Michael O'Neill hailed a "magnificent" performance from his Northern Ireland players after a 2-0 win over Slovakia at Windsor Park kept them firmly in the hunt in World Cup qualifying Group A.

Soccer • 10 Oct

Algerian player Mohamed El Amine Amoura celebrates his goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match between Algeria and Mozambique in Tizi Ouzou, Algeria, on March 25, 2025 (Photo by Billel Bensalem / APP/NurPhoto via Getty Images).

Algeria become 20th team to qualify for World Cup

Algeria became the 20th team to secure a place at next year's World Cup after inflicting a 3-0 defeat on Somalia to take an unassailable lead in their qualifying group.

Soccer • 09 Oct

Jimmy Dunne made his senior Ireland debut against Bulgaria in March

Dunne added to Ireland squad as Scales is ruled out

The Republic of Ireland squad to face Portugal and Armenia in the upcoming World Cup qualifying double-header will feature Jimmy Dunne, after the QPR defender was drafted in as cover for Liam Scales, who has suffered a family bereavement.

Soccer • 09 Oct

Cologne, Germany - September 7: Joshua Kimmich of Germany and Jamie Reid of Northern Ireland battle for the ball during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier match between Germany and Northern Ireland at RheinEnergieStadion on September 7, 2025 in Cologne, Ge

Northern Ireland take confidence into Windsor fixtures

Jamie Reid believes Northern Ireland can take confidence from their performance in last month's defeat to Germany into this week's World Cup qualifiers as they look to turn the tables at Windsor Park.

Soccer • 08 Oct

ABIDJAN, IVORY COAST - JANUARY 14: Roberto Carlos Lopes of Cape Verde prior to the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations group stage match between Ghana and Cape Verde at on January 14, 2024 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. (Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/DeFodi Image

World Cup spot to go to finale for Cape Verde and Lopes

Roberto Lopes' Cape Verde must wait to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a 3-3 draw with Libya in their penultimate qualification match this afternoon in Tripoli.

Soccer • 08 Oct

6 September 2025; Republic of Ireland supporters hold up a banner before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F qualifying match between Republic of Ireland and Hungary at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

FAI set for Israel vote, FIFA say UEFA must decide

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) are set to vote on Israel's participation in international football at the upcoming AGM.

Soccer • 01 Oct

Donald Trump with FIFA president Gianni Infantino in the Oval Office

Trump: 'Unsafe' cities may lose World Cup games

US President Donald Trump said he would consider relocating 2026 World Cup matches from cities he did not deem safe, months before the United States is set to co-host the showcase tournament with Canada and Mexico.

Soccer • 26 Sep

Lack of a killer instinct and small errors cost Ireland

Ireland came agonisingly close to advancing to a World Cup semi-final after losing to France in Exeter. Jonny Holland takes a look back on just where things went wrong for Scott Bemand's side.

Rugby • 16 Sep

'Variable pricing' for World Cup tickets criticised

FIFA has been accused of not caring about fans and "living in a parallel universe" over its controversial ticket pricing policy for next year's World Cup.

Soccer • 11 Sep

6 September 2025; Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher makes a save from Roland Sallai of Hungary during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F qualifying match between Republic of Ireland and Hungary at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by David Fi

Kelleher eager to move on after game of two halves

Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher expressed a mix of emotions after being awarded the player of the match accolade in the 2-2 draw against Hungary at Aviva Stadium.

Soccer • 06 Sep

Cristiano Ronaldo on the mark against Armenia

Ronaldo brace steers Portugal to easy win over Armenia

Cristiano Ronaldo took his international goal tally to 140 in 222 appearances with two as Portugal opened their World Cup qualifying campaign with a 5-0 hammering of Armenia in Group F.

Soccer • 06 Sep

6 September 2025; Adam Idah of Republic of Ireland celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F qualifying match between Republic of Ireland and Hungary at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sp

Recap: Republic of Ireland 2-2 Hungary

All the action, as it happened, from the Republic of Ireland's dramatic 2-2 draw against Hungary in their opening World Cup qualifier at Aviva Stadium.

Soccer • 06 Sep

Nathan Collins is desperate to see Ireland get to a World Cup

Collins daring to dream of World Cup qualification

Republic of Ireland defender Nathan Collins admits he's desperate to help Ireland secure a place at the World Cup as they begin their qualifying campaign tonight.

Soccer • 06 Sep

LUXEMBOURG, LUXEMBOURG - SEPTEMBER 04: Justin Devenny of Northern Ireland celebrates scoring his team's third goal with teammates during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Luxembourg and Northern Ireland at Stade de Luxembourg on September 04

Northern Ireland make winning start in Luxembourg

Justin Devenny and Shea Charles scored their first international goals as Northern Ireland opened their World Cup qualifying campaign with a 3-1 win in Luxembourg.

Soccer • 04 Sep

Dominik Szoboszlai of Hungary in action against Matt Doherty of Republic of Ireland during the international friendly match between Republic of Ireland and Hungary at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

The opposition view: Stop Szoboszlai to halt Hungary?

Hungarian football journalist Bence Bocsak speaks to Raf Diallo about what the Republic of Ireland can expect from the Magyars and their talismanic captain in Saturday's opening World Cup qualifier.

Soccer • 03 Sep

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JUNE 25: Teboho Mokoena #4 of Mamelodi Sundowns FC looks ahead during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group F match between Mamelodi Sundowns FC and Fluminense FC at Hard Rock Stadium on June 25, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Phot

FIFA remain silent on sanction for errant South Africa

FIFA's reticence to dock World Cup points from South Africa for using a defaulter in a March fixture is casting a cloud and creating confusion ahead of this week's potentially decisive round of African qualifiers.

Soccer • 02 Sep

Saudi Arabai will host the World Cup in nine years' time

Saudi Arabia 'ready' to host 64-team World Cup in 2034

Saudi Arabia would be ready and willing to host a 64-team World Cup in 2034 if FIFA accepts a controversial proposal to expand the tournament from 48, according to the kingdom's sports minister.

Soccer • 20 Apr

Ireland beaten in opening match of World Cup qualifying

Ireland suffered a 38-run defeat at the hands of Pakistan in the opening match of their Women's Cricket World Cup qualifying campaign in Lahore.

Cricket • 09 Apr

Matt Doherty is dreaming of a World Cup with Ireland

Doherty dreaming of a World Cup with Ireland

Matt Doherty is dreaming of a trip to the World Cup finals with the Republic of Ireland after completing a half-century of senior caps.

Soccer • 24 Mar

John O'Shea and Heimir Hallgrimsson after the 2-1 win in Dublin

'Very good' communicator Heimir now winning matches

John O'Shea on the importance of manager Heimir Hallgrímsson communicating effectively to a Republic of Ireland squad which is now embracing that winning feeling again.

Soccer • 25 Mar

New Zealand players in party mood after booking their ticket to the finals in North America

New Zealand crush New Caledonia to claim World Cup spot

New Zealand qualified for the 2026 World Cup as veterans Michael Boxall and Kosta Barbarouses scored in a second-half burst to beat New Caledonia 3-0 in Auckland.

Soccer • 24 Mar

Daizen Maeda, Daichi Kamada and Junya Ito of Japan celebrate

Japan become first team to qualify for 2026 World Cup

Japan became the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup as Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo struck in the second half to earn Hajime Moriyasu's side a 2-0 win over Bahrain at Saitama Stadium and confirm their place at next year's finals.

Soccer • 20 Mar

Chris Martin looks set for the World Cup final half-time show

Coldplay singer to help plan World Cup half-time show

Coldplay's Chris Martin and the band's manager Phil Harvey will be involved in helping FIFA plan the line-up for the first ever World Cup final half-time show next year.

Soccer • 05 Mar