World Cup qualifiers draw: Ireland to face Hungary, Armenia and Portugal-Denmark playoff winner

The draw took place in Zurich today.

THE REPUBLIC OF Ireland will play Hungary, Armenia and either Portugal or Denmark in their qualifying group for the 2026 World Cup.

The draw took place in Zurich today, with Ireland placed in Group F as third seeds.

Portugal face Denmark in a Nations League playoff in March, with the winners of that tie joining Ireland’s pool.

Hungary were drawn as second seeds, with Armenia completing the group.

Northern Ireland are in Group A alongside Slovakia, Luxembourg and the winner of the Germany v Italy playoff.

Group A

Winner Germany-Italy
Slovakia
Northern Ireland
Luxembourg

Group B

Switzerland
Sweden
Slovenia
Kosovo

Group C

Defeated team Portugal-Denmark
Greece
Scotland
Belarus

Group D

Winner France-Croatia
Ukraine
Iceland
Azerbaijan

Group E

Winner Spain-Netherlands
Türkiye
Georgia
Bulgaria
Malta

Group F

Winner Portugal-Denmark
Hungary
Republic of Ireland
Armenia

Group G

Defeated team Spain-Netherlands
Poland
Finland
Lithuania

Group H

Austria
Romania
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Cyprus
San Marino

Group I

Defeated team Germany-Italy
Norway
Israel
Estonia
Moldova

Group J

Belgium
Wales
North Macedonia
Kazakhstan
Liechtenstein

Group K

England
Serbia
Albania
Latvia
Andorra

Group L

Defeated team France-Croatia
Czechia
Montenegro
Faroe Islands
Gibraltar

Written by Ciarán Kennedy and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won’t find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women’s sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here.