Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterFour Four TwoGet the FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Become a Member in Seconds Unlock instant access to exclusive member features.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.You are now subscribedYour newsletter sign-up was successfulWant to add more newsletters?Five times a weekFourFourTwo DailyFantastic football content straight to your inbox! From the latest transfer news, quizzes, videos, features and interviews with the biggest names in the game, plus lots more.Signup +Once a week...And its LIVE!Sign up to our FREE live football newsletter, tracking all of the biggest games available to watch on the device of your choice. Never miss a kick-off!Signup +Join the clubGet full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.Explore An account already exists for this email address, please log in.Subscribe to our newsletterThe Republic of Ireland will bid to end a 24-year World Cup exile at the end of the month, when they take on the Czech Republic in their play-off semi-final.After a challenging start to the 2026 qualification programme, Heimir Hallgrimssons side were able to turn it around and now stand just 180 minutes from the tournament.Should make it past the Czech Republic, then either Denmark or North Macedonia will stand in the way of them reaching their first finals since the 2002 World Cup.Article continues below You may like Republic of Ireland World Cup 2026 squad: Heimir Hallgrmsson's latest selection ahead of the play-offs How to watch England vs Iceland in Women's World Cup qualifying Everything you need to know about the Lionesses' World Cup qualifiers Terry Phelan on Ireland's World Cup hopesThat tournament saw Ireland embroiled in the infamous Saipan incident, where captain Roy Keane and manager Mick McCarthy infamously clashed and has recently been immortalised on the silver screen. The team would go on to lose to Spain in the last-16.That added to their World Cup heritage which had seen Jack Charlton lead them to the Italia 90 quarter-finals and then the round of 16 four years later in the USA.Terry Phelan played at left-back for Ireland at the 1994 World Cup and he believes that after a slow start, manager Hallgrimsson can start to build momentum.The manager was under the cosh after early results didnt go well, but it takes time, Phelan tells FourFourTwo. Hell be a national hero if they qualify.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.And as Hallgrimsson prepares for the Czech Republic, Phelan is confident that the Ireland boss will get the job done.I think they can win both games, he asserts. I cant see the teams theyd have to face beating us, theyre not as good as Ireland on our day.Ireland have had to work hard to get into this position, they had a fantastic result in Hungary, and at home, Id give them an 85 or 90 per cent chance of going to the World Cup.The one-legged semi-final in Prague takes place on Thursday, March 26, with the final set for Tuesday, March 31.TOPICSRepublic of IrelandWorld CupJoe MewisSocial Links NavigationFor more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others and worked at FourFourTwo throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown.With contributions fromChris FlanaganSenior Staff Writer
