Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Cristiano Ronaldo of the Portugal National Team scores and celebrates during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Hungary and Portugal at Puskas Arena on September 9, 2025 in Budapest, Hungary.

Portugal edge Hungary to tighten grip on Group F

Portugal earned a 3-2 victory at Hungary in their World Cup qualifier to put them in control at the top of the Republic of Ireland's group.

Soccer • 11 Sep

Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson

Hallgrimsson 'takes the blame' amid pessimistic mood

Heimir Hallgrimsson said he was taking responsibility for the Republic of Ireland's damaging defeat to Armenia in Yerevan and admitted that any hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup look to be longest of shots.

Soccer • 11 Sep

Jack Taylor, left, and Dara O'Shea of Republic of Ireland reacts after conceding a goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F qualifying match between Armenia and Republic of Ireland at Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium in Yerevan, Armenia.

Player Ratings: Day of Armenian acrimony for Ireland

Here's how we rated the Ireland players after the 2-1 defeat to Armenia which has left Ireland which just one point from a possible six in the World Cup qualification group.

Soccer • 11 Sep

Head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson during a Republic of Ireland training session at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown, Dublin

Bullish mood as Heimir Republic seeks to exit recession

After 14 months marked by steady progression and stellar diplomacy, the real business begins for Ireland's Icelandic supremo.

Soccer • 06 Sep

2 September 2025; Goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher during Republic of Ireland training session at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown, Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Next step is to qualify for major tournament - Kelleher

Caoimhín Kelleher is confident that the current Ireland squad have what it takes to to qualify for a major tournament.

Soccer • 03 Sep

1 September 2025; Head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson arrives for a Republic of Ireland training session at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown, Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Hallgrimsson hoping for magical night to start campaign

Heimir Hallgrimsson wants his side to send out a message to their Group F rivals as they open their World Cup campaign against Hungary on Saturday evening at Aviva Stadium.

Soccer • 03 Sep

2 September 2025; Bosun Lawal during a Republic of Ireland media conference at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown, Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Lawal keeping the faith and eyeing Ireland involvement

Bosun Lawal has urged his international team-mates to dream big as they prepare for the upcoming World Cup qualifying campaign.

Soccer • 02 Sep

Jake O'Brien, second from left, and Nathan Collins in action against Bulgaria players Simeon Petrov, left, and Valentin Antov during the UEFA Nations League B/C Play-off 2nd Leg match between Republic of Ireland and Bulgaria at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin

Treacy: Back five may offer protection against Hungary

Former Republic of Ireland winger Keith Treacy believes a temporary switch to a back five would give the Boys in Green a degree of security when they open up their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign against Hungary at Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

Soccer • 02 Sep

Rabbi Matondo sealed victory for Wales against Kazakhstan

World Cup qualifying: Wales open with a win

Wales opened their World Cup qualifying campaign with a 3-1 victory over Kazakhstan.

Soccer • 22 Mar

Myles Lewis-Skelly slotting home England's opener

WC qualifiers wrap: Tuchel starts England era with win

England debutant Myles Lewis-Skelly got new coach Thomas Tuchel's reign up and running as the 18-year-old scored the first goal in a 2-0 home victory against Albania in their World Cup qualifying Group K opener on Friday.

Soccer • 21 Mar

Alvaro Morata celebrates the goal that beat Sweden

Updated World Cup qualifying wrap: Spain and Croatia seal spots

Spain and Croatia booked their places at the 2022 World Cup but Sweden and Russia will have to negotiate the play-off route to get to Qatar.

Soccer • 14 Nov 21

Wales captain Gareth Bale was speaking ahead of their clash with Belarus

Bale would support walking off pitch in face of abuse

Wales captain Gareth Bale says he would support his players walking off the pitch in the face of racial abuse and called for repeat offenders to be kicked out of international football.

Soccer • 04 Sep 21

Sweden inflicted a first World Cup qualifying defeat on Spain in 28 years

World Cup qualifying round-up: Spain suffer shock loss

Sweden recovered from a goal down to hand Spain their first World Cup qualifying defeat for 28 years with a shock 2-1 victory on Thursday.

Soccer • 02 Sep 21

Martinez Losa: 'I want to achieve success on the pitch to inspire the next generation of female players in this country'

Scotland Women name Pedro Martinez Losa as head coach

Pedro Martinez Losa has achieved an ambition by being appointed Scotland Women's national team head coach.

Soccer • 21 Jul 21

The Republic of Ireland could be grouped with England

Ireland to find out World Cup qualifying opponents

The Republic of Ireland could very well renew some famous old rivalries when the World Cup qualifying draw is held in Zurich later today.

Soccer • 06 Dec 20

Afghanistan win World Cup qualifying tournament

Mohammad Shahzad struck a lusty 84 runs to propel Afghanistan to a seven-wicket victory over the West Indies to win the World Cup qualifying tournament at the Harare Sports Club on Sunday.

Cricket • 25 Mar 18

Ireland frustrated as Powell & Roach shine for Windies

Rovman Powell and Kemar Roach led the West Indies to a 52-run win over Ireland in World Cup qualifying group A.

Cricket • 10 Mar 18

Andy Balbirnie was among the Irish players who shone against the Dutch

Ireland make perfect start in World Cup qualifying bid

Ireland's men's cricket team got their World Cup qualifying tournament off to the best possible start when they beat The Netherlands in Zimbabwe by 93 runs.

Cricket • 04 Mar 18

Martin O'Neill must now focus on taking maximum points in Cardiff

O'Neill urges players to seize the day in Cardiff

The Republic of Ireland side must make most of the opportunity that now presents itself against Wales in Monday's do-or-die World Cup qualifying clash, according to manager Martin O'Neill

Soccer • 06 Oct 17

Joachim Low has steered Germany to a third consecutive World Cup finals

Celebratory pints 'just not our style', says Low

Joachim Low insists there is still plenty to come from a Germany side that sealed their World Cup spot next summer with a ninth qualifying win from nine on Thursday.

Soccer • 06 Oct 17

Alli gets one-match England ban after finger gesture

Dele Alli has been banned for one international match for making an offensive gesture during England's World Cup qualifying match against Slovakia at Wembley last month.

Soccer • 29 Sep 17

Group D round-up: Serbia go top, Austria stay in hunt

Serbia came from a goal down to beat Georgia 3-1 in Tiblisi and go top of the World Cup Group D qualifying table.

Soccer • 24 Mar 17

Aleksandar scores Serbia's equaliser against Wales in last November's qualifier in Cardiff

Hartson: Welsh must rediscover art of seeing out a game

The ability to hold on to a lead is something that Wales must rectify if they are have any chance of qualifying for next year's World Cup, according to former international John Hartson.

Soccer • 21 Mar 17

World Cup qualifying

Portugal edge Hungary to tighten grip on Group F

Hallgrimsson 'takes the blame' amid pessimistic mood

Player Ratings: Day of Armenian acrimony for Ireland

Bullish mood as Heimir Republic seeks to exit recession

Next step is to qualify for major tournament - Kelleher

Hallgrimsson hoping for magical night to start campaign

Lawal keeping the faith and eyeing Ireland involvement

Treacy: Back five may offer protection against Hungary

World Cup qualifying: Wales open with a win

WC qualifiers wrap: Tuchel starts England era with win

Updated World Cup qualifying wrap: Spain and Croatia seal spots

Bale would support walking off pitch in face of abuse

World Cup qualifying round-up: Spain suffer shock loss

Scotland Women name Pedro Martinez Losa as head coach

Ireland to find out World Cup qualifying opponents

Afghanistan win World Cup qualifying tournament

Ireland frustrated as Powell & Roach shine for Windies

Ireland make perfect start in World Cup qualifying bid

O'Neill urges players to seize the day in Cardiff

Celebratory pints 'just not our style', says Low

Alli gets one-match England ban after finger gesture

Group D round-up: Serbia go top, Austria stay in hunt

Hartson: Welsh must rediscover art of seeing out a game

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