Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

14 October 2025; Ryan Manning of Republic of Ireland in action against Kamo Hovhannisyan of Armenia during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F qualifying match between Republic of Ireland and Armenia at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/S

Manning backing team-mates to surprise Portugal

Suspended full-back Ryan Manning has urged the Republic of Ireland to use every trick in the book to find a way into next summer's World Cup finals, beginning with the visit of Portugal next month.

Soccer • 16 Oct

WC qualifying wrap: England are through; Tuchel teased

Harry Kane helped fire England to World Cup qualification after a 5-0 win against Latvia on a night Thomas Tuchel was teased by fans.

Soccer • 14 Oct

Hungary strike late in Lisbon to dent Irish prospects

Dominik Szoboszlai's injury-time equaliser for Hungary in Lisbon has had a big impact on the Republic of Ireland's own World Cup aspirations in Group F.

Soccer • 15 Oct

Evan Ferguson after scoring against Armenia - October 2025

Ireland beat 10-man Armenia to maintain play-off hopes

Ireland secured the victory that was required to allow them to hold onto their World Cup hopes, beating Armenia 1-0 at Aviva Stadium.

Soccer • 15 Oct

Evan Ferguson scores against Armenia - World Cup qualifier, October 2025

World Cup qualifying recap: Ireland 1-0 Armenia

Read how it all unfolded as Ireland stirred themselves sufficiently to get the win they needed against 10-man Armenia.

Soccer • 14 Oct

Sweden's coach Jon Dahl Tomasson during the 2026 World Cup qualifying group B football match between Sweden and Kosovo in Gothenburg, Sweden on October 13, 2025,

Tomasson out as Sweden sack a manager for first time

Sweden have sacked manager Jon Dahl Tomasson, the country's football federation said, after a dismal start to their World Cup qualifying campaign left them bottom of Group B with one point from four games.

Soccer • 14 Oct

Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill remonstrates with referee Jesus Gil Manzano after the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Northern Ireland and Germany at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park in Belfast.

O'Neill rues 'sore loss' after Germany snatch vital win

Michael O'Neill was left disappointed by a "sore loss" as an unorthodox first international goal from Nick Woltemade gave Germany a 1-0 World Cup qualifying win over Northern Ireland in Belfast.

Soccer • 14 Oct

9 September 2025; Armenia head coach Iegishe Melikian during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F qualifying match between Armenia and Republic of Ireland at Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium in Yerevan, Armenia. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Armenia manager promising 'war' against Ireland

Armenia boss Yeghishe Melikyan has warned the Republic of Ireland his team are ready to go to "war" with them in the quest for a place at next summer's World Cup.

Soccer • 13 Oct

Roberto Lopes of Cape Verde celebrates his side's qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with supporters after the FIFA World Cup 2026 African qualifying match between Cape Verde and Eswatini at Estádio Nacional de Cabo Verde in Praia, Cape Verde

Delight for Lopes as Cape Verde qualify for World Cup

Shamrock Rovers defender Pico Lopes helped Cape Verde to qualify for their first World Cup on Monday after a 3-0 win over Eswatini ensured they finished top of their African zone group.

Soccer • 14 Oct

Nagelsmann 'didn't mean any disrespect' over NI remarks

Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann has said he is "sorry" if Northern Ireland felt his comments about their style of play were disrespectful.

Soccer • 12 Oct

Scotland’s Scott McTominay celebrates with Kenny McLean after scoring to make it 2-0 during a 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying match between Scotland and Belarus at Hampden Park, on October 12, 2025, in Glasgow, Scotland.

WC qualifying: Scots edge Belarus, Faroes shock Czechia

Scotland's Che Adams and Scott McTominay scored in each half to beat Belarus 2-1 on Sunday, to move onto 10 points from four matches in World Cup qualifying Group D.

Soccer • 13 Oct

Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson reacts after his side concede their first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F qualifying match between Portugal and Republic of Ireland at Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon, Portugal.

Hallgrimsson laments 'painful' late loss in Lisbon

Heimir Hallgrimsson lamented a "painful" late defeat to Portugal that undid a resolute backs-to-the-wall performance in Saturday's World Cup qualifier in Lisbon.

Soccer • 11 Oct

11 October 2025; Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal celebrates after his side's first goal, scored by Rúben Neves, not pictured, during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F qualifying match between Portugal and Republic of Ireland at Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon

Heartbreak in Lisbon as Ireland edged by last-gasp goal

Ireland's woes continued in Portugal as an injury-time goal proved the difference with Heimir Hallgrimsson's side narrowly edged out in Lisbon, losing 1-0 at the Jose Alvalade Stadium.

Soccer • 12 Oct

World Cup qualifying recap: Portugal 1-0 Ireland

The Republic of Ireland left heartbroken after they losing 1-0 to Portugal following a late winner for the hosts.

Soccer • 11 Oct

The selected squad is display on a screen as head coach Heimir Hallgrímsson enters the room before a Republic of Ireland squad announcement at FAI Headquarters in Abbotstown, Dublin.

Onus versus Armenia more worrying than onerous Portugal

While Keith Treacy does not expect the Republic of Ireland to get anything from Saturday's World Cup qualifier in Portugal, the former Boys in Green winger believes Heimir Hallgrimsson's side will find that daunting task less complicated in some ways than Armenia's visit to Dublin three days later.

Soccer • 07 Oct

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