FAI...New Manager is Heimir Hallgrimsson

[Never beat the deeler]

Can someone point me towards an explainer on all this pot 2 / pot 3 stuff?

Looking at FIFA website there are 16 teams to get whittled down to 4, so 2 rounds of playoffs?

The continent's four remaining berths will then be settled in a 16-team UEFA play-off competition involving the 12 group runners-up and four best-ranked UEFA Nations League section winners who did not finish in the top two of their World Cup qualifying groups.

The 16 teams will be drawn into four play-off paths, each featuring four teams, with single-leg semi-finals and finals taking place in March 2026.

https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/articles/uefa-qualifying-teams-schedule-dates-places

This article which is the most helpful I've found

https://www.the42.ie/what-next-ireland-6876797-Nov2025/?utm_source=thescore&utm_content=top-stories

[Baile Brigín 2]

These world rankings would wreck your head.  Would it he possible for ireland to jump 16 places to pip Slovakia to pot 2? 

Assuming germany beat Slovakia tomorrow night while they dud beat the Billy boys as expected

Irelands results beating the 5th ranked team and the 37th ranked team should see them climb a few spots

New FIFA rankings will come out Wed before draw on Thursday. However there's sites like footranking.com that do live rankings and only moved is up to 60 and I'd say Slovakia losing to Germany (may beat them too) would only drop them down a few spots.

Will FIFA rig the draw again when it looks like a  big  gun might not qualify? . I remember they  did  it  in 2009  to  make it easier for France to qualify

Already done.

[Louther]

Massive day for Irish soccer yesterday but the reward still to be earned in March. Between the two matches they've created quite a buzz. Will be a massive build up to the play offs now.

The way it fell yesterday was mad. Prime time viewing on a Sunday in November, dozens of young lads gathering to watch it. Only a handful of club GAA games round the country, LOI season over, GAA lads in off season and all keen to meet up and have a super Sunday! The way the goal fell then made for a serious memorable experience.

Troy Parrott some man.

[seafoid]

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2025/1116/1544303-mature-parrott-ready-for-big-club-calls-doyle/

[Pub Bore]

Amazing end to the game and we've given ourselves a fantastic chance to qualify, something that looked near impossible a couple of months ago.  Ireland were shite in the first half and I think Houghton was right when he said that Kelleher has been Ire's best player over the group.  Fair play to Azaz who was awful in the 1st 65 mins but benefited from being moved when the subs came on.  He did well in the last 20 mins.  Now that the euphoria is starting to die down, how poor were Idah and Ebosele?  Kenny looks a better option than Idah.  We're still lacking a really creative midfielder.  Being lost in the buzz is Parrott's 2nd goal which was a cracking finish.  The winner was a real striker's goal, it seemed to come off his studs but that was just enough.

[Blowitupref]

Amazing end to the game and we've given ourselves a fantastic chance to qualify, something that looked near impossible a couple of months ago.  Ireland were shite in the first half and I think Houghton was right when he said that Kelleher has been Ire's best player over the group.  Fair play to Azaz who was awful in the 1st 65 mins but benefited from being moved when the subs came on.  He did well in the last 20 mins.  Now that the euphoria is starting to die down, how poor were Idah and Ebosele?  Kenny looks a better option than Idah.  We're still lacking a really creative midfielder.  Being lost in the buzz is Parrott's 2nd goal which was a cracking finish.  The winner was a real striker's goal, it seemed to come off his studs but that was just enough.

Good image of the match winner

[NAG1]

Some dicey enough opposition left in the play offs. But better to be in the hat for sure.

Credit where its due, they kept going to the very end against a decent enough side too.

[Maroon Manc]

Apart from Dewsbury Hall who else could still play for Ireland but has turned us down?

[JPGJOHNNYG]

Apart from Dewsbury Hall who else could still play for Ireland but has turned us down?

Liam delap would be one and there are a few others but none of them are interested in Ireland. The days of getting top class English lads are long gone. When you have someone as culturally Irish as grealish brought up through the youth ranks played GAA turn us down then you know it's done. Even average players like Bamford would rather play 45 mins against Andorra for England than actually have some sort of run in the Ireland team. Mark Noble would probably have done very well for Ireland but preferred to get zero caps for England. The list goes on. The granny rule has dried up and most of the guys we get these days arent any better than what's already available.

[Louther]

It's lads from underage going the other way that's the danger these days - like Rice and Grealish.

The young United lad, Devaney, who played for u21s the other night. He done well and never looked out of place. Born in Barnsley and qualified through Irish grandparents on both sides. But you imagine that he be watched and if makes breakthrough then he'd be looked at by the FA.

We may have to do with 24/25 year old players who make it at championship level and are way off the England radar.

[Armagh18]

It's lads from underage going the other way that's the danger these days - like Rice and Grealish.

The young United lad, Devaney, who played for u21s the other night. He done well and never looked out of place. Born in Barnsley and qualified through Irish grandparents on both sides. But you imagine that he be watched and if makes breakthrough then he'd be looked at by the FA.

We may have to do with 24/25 year old players who make it at championship level and are way off the England radar. 

Could we not just cap him straight away?

[AustinPowers]

Apart from Dewsbury Hall who else could still play for Ireland but has turned us down?

Liam delap would be one and there are a few others but none of them are interested in Ireland. The days of getting top class English lads are long gone. When you have someone as culturally Irish as grealish brought up through the youth ranks played GAA turn us down then you know it's done. Even average players like Bamford would rather play 45 mins against Andorra for England than actually have some sort of run in the Ireland team. Mark Noble would probably have done very well for Ireland but preferred to get zero caps for England. The list goes on. The granny rule has dried up and most of the guys we get these days arent any better than what's already available.

Players like  Houghton Cascarino, McAteer, had  Irish media careers  post playing, and would no doubt be able to  do well in Ireland doing talk nights, book sales etc. I doubt they'd have any of that  had they opted for Scotland/England.

As you say , players who could have declared for Ireland but didn't, and maybe only ended up getting 1 or 2 England caps , never to  be seen again.  England, even when they are doing shite , have  huge competition for places. So it's mad to think why more don't declare for Ireland . It's a  good earner in retirement, as we've seen

[thewobbler]

You're kind of ignoring a group of cultural changes there.

The first one being that any man who plays 5+ PL seasons should have little or no need for media work, especially not stuff that involves flights to Dublin.

The second one being that in these islands, the PL now dwarfs over international football in terms of importance, achievement and awareness.

The decision taken by Houghton, Aldridge, Cascarino et al, was made when the opposite was true. Back then, being recognised as an international standard player was the pathway to bigger clubs and bigger wages. Nowadays it matters not a bit.

So whilst young English men might still wish to feel the pride of playing for their country, there really isn't much incentive in playing for someone's elses. Hence one cap v Andorra, even if that's all he ever gets, it's still a dream come true.

[An Watcher]

Are yous serious lads?  Group of players have us on the brink of a major tournament and you're looking for a bunch of mercenaries.  If they dont want to play at the start, feck em.  Wouldn't touch rice with a barge pole if there was any way back

[mouview]

You're kind of ignoring a group of cultural changes there.

The first one being that any man who plays 5+ PL seasons should have little or no need for media work, especially not stuff that involves flights to Dublin.

The second one being that in these islands, the PL now dwarfs over international football in terms of importance, achievement and awareness.

The decision taken by Houghton, Aldridge, Cascarino et al, was made when the opposite was true. Back then, being recognised as an international standard player was the pathway to bigger clubs and bigger wages. Nowadays it matters not a bit.

So whilst young English men might still wish to feel the pride of playing for their country, there really isn't much incentive in playing for someone's elses. Hence one cap v Andorra, even if that's all he ever gets, it's still a dream come true.

It's nearly amazing now the quality disconnect between club football, especially in Europe's top 4/5 leagues, and international football. If the current Irish team were a PL side, would we be in the relegation places? I'd say so.