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How Parrott's Ireland are taking the mentality and momentum of Budapest to Prague and maybe the World Cup

The Republic of Ireland travel to Prague to face the Czech Republic tonight knowing they could move within one match of elusive World Cup qualification.

Ireland reached the play-offs in soul-stirring fashion in November, following up a memorable win over Portugal with late drama in Hungary, which saw Troy Parrott net a stoppage-time winner in Budapest to spark incredible scenes of celebration.

The result secured a second-place finish and a play-off spot for Heimir Hallgrímsson’s side, who have not played at a World Cup finals since 2002.

But to end that 24-year wait for qualification, they will first need to go through Czech Republic in enemy territory, which will earn them a finale showdown against either Denmark or North Macedonia in front of a rabid Dublin crowd on Tuesday 31 March.

Will history repeat itself?

This is the second consecutive World Cup qualifying campaign that will see Czech Republic play in the play-offs.

In March 2022, they lost 1-0 in the semi-final in Solna against Sweden.

Will history repeat itself?

Mike Jones26 March 2026 19:10

Czech Republic vs Ireland

This is the first meeting between Czech Republic and the Republic of Ireland since a February 2012 friendly.

That finished as a 1-1 draw at the Aviva Stadium with Simon Cox equalising late on for Ireland after Milan Baros gave the away side the lead early in the second half.

Mike Jones26 March 2026 19:05

The clever psychological tricks which could send Ireland to first World Cup in 24 years

The Irish players had only got back to Dublin this week when all of the emotion from Hungary came flooding back. You can see it in the smiles, the readiness. Some of it is just being among the squad again, with the World Cup now in sight. Some of it is what Heimir Hallgrimsson has already said to them this week, before an initial play-off away to Czech Republic.

The four-month wait since Troy Parrott’s heroics has at least allowed a manager as measured as the Icelander a lot of time to think about this week of weeks for Ireland, and he’s long known what he’s going to say to his squad and when – as well as what his tactical approach will be.

The psychological tricks which could send Ireland to first World Cup in 24 years

Troy Parrott holds the key as Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson looks to conjure up another memorable away-day triumph in Prague on Thursday night

Miguel Delaney26 March 2026 19:00

Ireland team to take on Czech Republic

Ireland XI: Kelleher, Coleman, O'Brien, Collins, O'Shea, Manning, Taylor, Molumby, Azaz, Ogbene, Parrott

Mike Jones26 March 2026 18:46

A final word from Coleman

Seamus Coleman has warned that the Irish squad are ready for a tough game and are prepared for this play-off.

He said: "It's going to be tough, it's going to be fiery out there. Maybe two years ago, it would have been a lot for the young lads to take.

"But I think everyone now has stepped up and are prepared for what's to come. We absolutely, no doubt about it, understand that it's going to be a tough game for us but it's also going to be a tough game for them as well.”

Mike Jones26 March 2026 18:42

How will Ireland prepare for Czech Republic?

“We’re not overly-analysing them,” Heimir Hallgrimsson admitted.

“We are just focusing on ourselves, trying to build on what we’ve been doing. We all know this coach will have played a different formation from what they have done before, so we're just planning and preparing for both.

“But we are not overly concerned about what he will throw at us, we know from his past games in his club, what he prefers, if he's going to do all of those changes to the national team, we just have to see.”

Mike Jones26 March 2026 18:36