Home / Football / Internationals News Czechia 2-2 Republic of Ireland (4-3 on penalties): Report, result, goals from 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier Read a report from Czechia vs Ireland in the playoffs Written by Ben Miller Last Update: March 26, 2026 11:59:15 pm GMT 3 min read Matej Kovar denied Finn Azaz and Alan Browne in a shootout as Czechia ended the Republic of Irelands World Cup qualification campaign and advanced to a play-off final against Denmark with victory in the semi-finals at the Fortuna Arena. Miroslav Koubek will lead Czechia to the finals for the first time since 2006 if they beat Denmark at home on Tuesday (19:45 BST), having recovered from falling 2-0 behind to Troy Parrotts 19th-minute penalty and Kovars own goal after 23 minutes.Patrik Schick replied with a penalty in the 27th minute when Ryan Manning was adjudged to have fouled Ladislav Krejci and, after Jayson Molumby shot against a post for the visitors during the second half, Krejci headed the equaliser four minutes from time.Parrott, Krejci, Adam Idah, Tomas Soucek and Robbie Brady all converted in the shootout before Brentford goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher saved from Mojmir Chytil to put Ireland in front, only for Kovars saves and successful attempts by Schick and Jan Kliment to send Czechia through.Table of Contents1 Czechia team vs Ireland2 Ireland team vs Czechia3 World Cup 2026: Czechia, Denmark group, teams4 Who could Czechia or Denmark play at the World Cup? Group A5 FIFA World Cup: Czechia, Denmark schedule, fixtures6 When does the 2026 FIFA World Cup start?Czechia team vs IrelandCzechia starting XI: Matej Kovar, Vladimir Coufal, Tomas Holes, Robin Hranac, Ladislav Krejci, David Jurasek, Vladimir Darida, Tomas Chory, Lukas Provod, Pavel Sulc, Patrik SchickCzechia substitutes: Lukas Hornicek, Martin Jedlicka, Stepan Chaloupek, Martin Vitik, Adam Karabec, Jan Kliment, Lukas Cerv, Mojmir Chytil, Michal Sadilek, Jaroslav Zeleny, Denis Visinsky, Tomas SoucekIreland team vs CzechiaIreland starting XI: Caoimhin Kelleher, Seamus Coleman, Ryan Manning, Dara OShea, Jake OBrien, Jayson Molumby, Troy Parrott, Finn Azaz, Jack Taylor, Chiedozie Ogbene, Nathan CollinsIreland substitutes: Mark Travers, Josh Keeley, John Egan, Jimmy Dunne, Robbie Brady, James Abankwah, Jason Knight, Alan Browne, Harvey Vale, Adam Idah, Johnny Kenny, Sammie SzmodicsWorld Cup 2026: Czechia, Denmark group, teamsThe draw for the finals has already taken place. Czechia or Denmark will be in Group A if they advance.Heres how those groups look, including a look at each teams FIFA ranking before the play-off semi-finals.Who could Czechia or Denmark play at the World Cup? Group ACountryRankMexico16South Korea22South Africa60FIFA World Cup: Czechia, Denmark schedule, fixturesThe victors in the final will take on South Korea first, then South Africa and co-hosts Mexico. Fixtures with an asterisk start the following day.DateMatchBSTETPTVenueJune 11South Korea03:00*22:0019:00Estadio Guadalajara, MexicoJune 18South Africa17:0012:0009:00Mercedes-Benz Stadium, AtlantaJune 24Mexico02:00*21:0018:00Estadio Azteca, Mexico CityShould they win their group at the World Cup, Czechia or Denmark will face one of the eight best-performing teams to have finished third among the 12 groups.If they finish second, they will meet the runners-up from Group B, which will contain Switzerland, Canada, Qatar and a European play-off winner.If they reach the knockout stage as a third-placed team, they will encounter the winners of Group E or G. Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador, Belgium, Egypt, Iran and New Zealand are in those groups.Check out the full World Cup bracket.When does the 2026 FIFA World Cup start?The World Cup starts with a meeting between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City on June 11 (20:00 BST). Topics: 2026 FIFA World Cup Czech Republic National Football Team FIFA World Cup Republic of Ireland National Football Team World Cup Follow us: Ben Miller Ben has more than 10 years' experience in sports journalism, covering two EURO tournaments, European club competitions, the Premier League, EFL and WSL and a variety of other major sporting events. Read more from Ben Miller
