Republic of Ireland vs Portugal preview - Seleção close to qualifying for the 2026 World Cup | OneFootball

Portugal are on the cusp of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after enjoying an unbeaten start in Group F. They could seal their spot on Thursday when they face Republic of Ireland in Dublin.

Roberto Martínez’s side beat the Boys in Green 1-0 in Lisbon last month, Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty saved by Caoimhin Kelleher before Rúben Neves scored in added time.

The Seleção have played three competitive matches in Dublin and never tasted victory, the last contest coming in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers. It was a game to forget at Aviva Stadium where the contest ended in a dull 0-0 draw.

Portugal squad

Nuno Tavares was left out and Nuno Mendes was unavailable after picking up an injury playing for PSG. Pedro Gonçalves and Pedro Neto were called up before withdrawing due to injury.

João Cancelo returns to the squad and Matheus Nunes has been named as a defender after playing right-back for Manchester City.

Carlos Forbs has been named for the first time after some eye-catching performances for Club Brugge, scoring twice against Barcelona in the Champions League.

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 143 goals in 225 appearances for the Seleção.

Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa, José Sá, Rui Silva

Defenders: Rúben Dias, João Cancelo, Nélson Semedo, Diogo Dalot, Gonçalo Inácio, António Silva, Matheus Nunes, Renato Veiga

Midfielders: Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Rúben Neves, João Palhinha, Vitinha, João Neves

Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo, João Félix, Rafael Leão, Gonçalo Ramos, Francisco Trincão, Francisco Conceição, Carlos Forbs

Predicted lineup

The full-back positions are up for grabs here with João Cancelo, Nélson Semedo and Diogo Dalot hoping to start.

I am expecting Roberto Martínez to select Vitinha and João Neves in midfield with Bernardo Silva starting on the right wing due to Pedro Neto’s exclusion.

Portugal (4-2-3-1) Diogo Costa; Nélson Semedo, Rúben Dias, Gonçalo Inácio, João Cancelo; Vitinha, João Neves; Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, João Félix; Cristiano Ronaldo

Republic of Ireland form

Ireland had a slow start in the World Cup qualifiers, down 2-0 against Hungary before a late rally against 10 men resulted in Adam Idah securing a 2-2 draw in added time.

Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side lost 2-1 in Armenia where they had 0.80-2.45 xG. The Boys in Green parked the bus in Portugal where they hardly looked like scoring, conceding in added time in a 1-0 defeat.

Ireland returned to Dublin where they beat Armenia 1-0 to keep their hopes alive. They had some luck once again after the visitors were reduced to 10 men in the second half, Evan Ferguson scoring the winning goal.

Portugal form

Portugal got off to a fast start in the World Cup qualifiers, winning 5-0 in Armenia. João Félix and Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice with João Cancelo getting on the score sheet, a dominant performance in Yerevan where they registered 6.34-0.19 expected goals.

The Seleção fell behind in Hungary, Bernardo Silva equalising and Ronaldo’s penalty giving them a 2-1 lead. The Magyars drew level before Cancelo scored late to secure a 3-2 victory.

Roberto Martinez’s side returned to Lisbon where they had 30-2 shots in a 1-0 win against Republic of Ireland. Ronaldo hit the post early on before seeing his second half penalty saved, Trincão’s cross headed home by Rúben Neves in added time.

Portugal drew 2-2 against Hungary last time out, falling behind from a set piece early on before Ronaldo scored twice before the break. They were unable to extend their advantage and conceded the second goal in added time.

Irish players to watch

Goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher was heavily involved in Lisbon where he saved Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty. He is likely to be tested on more than one occasion in Dublin.

Nathan Collins holds the defence together and Troy Parrott has scored a lot of goals since moving to the Eredivisie in 2023.

Head-to-head record

Portugal have won three of their seven competitive matches against Ireland alongside three draws and one defeat. The Seleção have never won on Irish soil.

They first met in the 1996 European Championship qualifiers. Ireland won 1-0 at Lansdowne Road thanks to a goal from Steve Staunton, Portugal winning 3-0 at Estádio da Luz where Rui Costa, Hélder Cristóvão and Jorge Cadete scored in the second half.

The next encounters came in the 2002 World Cup qualifiers. The first meeting at Estádio da Luz ended in a 1-1 draw, Sérgio Conceição’s opener cancelled out by Matt Holland. Roy Keane put Ireland ahead in Dublin but they couldn’t hold on, Luís Figo equalising in the 79th minute.

Twenty years would pass before the next competitive games between these nations. They came in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, Portugal winning 2-1 at Estádio Algarve thanks to two late goals from Cristiano Ronaldo. It was a significant night for the Seleção captain, given that this was the match in which Ronaldo broke the record as the all-time top goal-scorer in international men’s football. They drew 0-0 in a dull affair at Aviva Stadium where Pepe was sent off late on.

Portugal completely dominated Republic of Ireland at Estádio José Alvalade last month, ending the contest with 70% possession, 30-2 shots and 3.11-0.08 xG. Ronaldo saw his penalty saved by Caoimhin Kelleher in the 75th minute, Rúben Neves heading Francisco Trincão’s cross into the net in added time to seal a 1-0 victory.