The Irish Team Review 2026: The Boys in Green Relight the Hopes of a nation again

Credit - Aviva

Entering 2026, the scope of the Irish National Team has shifted measurably. After a period of apathy from the public towards a once heralded and beloved team, the National Team has once again become beloved, no more so than the likes of Troy Parrott and Caoimhin Kelleher, who have captured the nation’s imagination once again. But how did we get to this point?

The Men’s National Team entered the year with significant scrutiny about whether they could perform at a high level after five years of consistent underperformance. And with the new unfancied manager, Heimir Hallgrímsson, the team would be under the microscope even further, with the gruelling manager search leaving the public and the media with significant questions.

Hopeless

Starting the year by staying in Nations League B with a victory against Bulgaria in the second leg, the World Cup campaign looked like, for the first time in many years, we could potentially get through. Drawn against Portugal, predicted rightfully so to top the group, but similarly against an ageing Hungary squad who relied upon Dominik Szoboszlai and youth prospect Milos Kerkez. Finally, the weakest in the group was perceived to have been Armenia, which, perhaps, the public had underestimated, as they can be hard to play on their day.

After the first three games, we only managed to scrape a draw against Hungary in the home leg courtesy of a last-minute goal from Adam Idah. The other two games were met with anger as increased pressure from the public mounted against Heimir. However, the criticism of those games was perhaps too harsh, as with the Portugal game, Ireland went away and managed not to concede a goal until a last-minute winner. In the Armenia game, we were poor in our worst performance of the group stage.

After the Portugal and Armenia losses, amid talks of not renewing Heimir’s contract, Ireland had a snatch-and-grab win against Armenia in their second home tie. Considering Ireland was at the bottom of the group, albeit with a mathematical prospect of reaching the playoffs, there was little hope, and Ireland once again looked aimless.

With the hopes of the nation dampened and our talisman, Evan Ferguson, injured, few gave Ireland hope. Ireland must beat Portugal in the Aviva, then overcome Hungary at the Puskas Arena.

Exhilaration

A raucous Irish crowd was in attendance at the Aviva to witness the first of two nights that will undoubtedly feature in Reeling in the Years. Defensively solid, dangerous on the counterattack, and mind games from Heimir got the better of Portugal.

Kelleher had a quieter night than expected as the Corkonian had few chances to worry about besides a long-range effort from Goncalo Ramos in the second half. Then a strong performance from Ogbene, Scales and the soon-to-be hero of the nation, Troy Parrott, would set up the culmination of our qualification efforts against Hungary, who had done their part and gritted out a 1-0 victory against the Armenians away.

Excitement gripped the nation, despite the gruelling tie ahead, for the first time in years, there was hope that the Boys in Green would qualify, not only for a major tournament, but for the World Cup.

Conceding from a corner early on, it seemed to be another glimmer of hope. But Belvedere’s own Troy Parrott persevered, becoming the first Irish player since Robbie Keane to score a hat-trick. With a last-minute winner away from home, Parrott displayed an offensive guile that not possessed by an Irish footballer in years. Ireland was through to the qualifiers to get an opportunity to go to the US, Canada, and Mexico

The Recap

Looking back at the campaign before the playoffs, many wrote off the Irish Team. It can be understandable, considering that they hadn’t displayed an ability to beat teams in high-pressure situations since the O’Neill days.

However, what many failed to consider was the development of the team, alongside the changes that Heimir brought to the table. The Icelandic coach had made Ireland hard to play against again; every performance other than the away result at Armenia showcased grit and defensive solidity.

Kelleher has grown to become one of the best keepers in the league, where his performance in between the sticks looks to push Brentford towards Europe under the Stewardship of Irishman Andrews.

Parrott has been bagging prolifically in the Eredivisie, where his name was linked to the likes of West Ham, Everton, and Spurs as he has not only found his scoring boots, but his confidence.

Despite the performances of Parrott, in another EU country, Ferguson has similarly found his confidence, where, under the watch of Gasperini, he has grown into this Roma team, despite teething and fitness issues.

The youthful team that was managed by St. Patrick’s Athletic manager Stephen Kenny may still be young, but for players of this age have bags of experience.

We may still not qualify with the draw being as favourable as possible, where we face Czechia away from home, then a rehash of a traumatic home tie against an ageing but fancied Denmark at the Aviva.

Regardless of qualification, one fact that cannot be taken from this Irish team; they made the nation hope and dream again. That Kelleher to Scales, who heads it down to Parrott, will be replayed for years, where crucially, it will give the next generation of Irish stars a moment to inspire them to become footballers and foster communities.