World Cup Draw: Potential Best and Worst Group Scenarios for Ireland Featuring USA, Australia, and Qatar

With the World Cup draw approaching, Ireland’s football future hangs in the balance. Heimir Hallgrímsson leads an FAI delegation to Washington, DC, for this significant event scheduled for Friday at 5 PM Irish time. FIFA will finalize all match fixtures for the North America 2026 tournament on Saturday evening, making it necessary for fans and players to begin strategic planning.

Potential Group Scenarios for Ireland

Assuming Ireland wins against the Czech Republic on March 26 and qualifies by overcoming Denmark or North Macedonia on March 31, favorable group placements are being considered. Ideally, Hallgrímsson’s team would land in either Group B or D, paired with co-hosts Canada or the USA, alongside second seed Australia and third seed Qatar.

Understanding the Draw Mechanics

• The draw process begins with top seeds from Pot One.
• Each group will contain a maximum of two European teams, reducing the likelihood of encountering top European rivals such as Spain, France, or Germany.

Ideal Matches and Venues

Drawing Canada or the US allows Ireland to play in California, specifically at venues like Santa Clara and Inglewood. The potential group matches include:

• June 13: Ireland vs. South Africa at Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara.
• June 18: Ireland vs. Australia at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood.
• June 24: Ireland vs. Canada at BC Place, Vancouver.

Levi’s Stadium can accommodate 68,500 fans, SoFi Stadium up to 70,240, and BC Place 54,500. The FAI will receive tickets equivalent to eight percent of each stadium’s capacity, available for season ticket holders in early April.

Qualification Scenarios

If Ireland tops Group B, the next match in the round of 32 would be held in Vancouver. Finishing as runners-up leads them back to Inglewood, while qualifying as a third-placed team might result in matches in Foxborough, near Boston, or Santa Clara.

Worst-Case Scenarios

Conversely, the possibility of facing formidable opponents like Spain, the recent Euro 2024 champions, alongside Morocco and Norway—boasting star player Erling Haaland—poses significant challenges. A more balanced group could include Brazil or Argentina, which would bring excitement despite their competitive prowess.

As the World Cup draw approaches, Ireland’s hopeful journey continues with eyes set on favorable matchups and an exciting tournament ahead.