Against all odds, Ireland go to Budapest on Sunday with their World Cup hopes in their own hands.
Thursday’s miraculous win over Portugal means that Ireland now know a win over Hungary will see them pip their hosts to second place and secure a playoff place.
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It all seemed so unlikely after September’s seemingly catastrophic defeat in Yerevan, but Ireland fans can once again dream of the 2027 World Cup in North America.
The 2-0 win over Portugal will be remembered for years as one of Ireland’s greatest ever results, but the Boys in Green will need to emulate that feat and performance just three days later if they are to push those hopes past Sunday evening.
Despite how daunting the task may seem, there really is so much reason to believe it might just happen.
Here’s six reasons we think Ireland can get the job done in Budapest.
READ HERE: Seamus Coleman Shared Amazing Moment With Brady After Incredible Ireland Display
READ HERE: Eamon Dunphy Issues Apology To ‘The Dentist’ Heimir After Ireland Miracle v Portugal
Why Ireland can get the job done in Budapest
We have momentum now
13 November 2025; Troy Parrott of Republic of Ireland, left, celebrates with captain Seamus Coleman after scoring their side’s second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F Qualifier match between Republic of Ireland and Portugal at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Simply put, the momentum and boost in morale Ireland will take from Thursday’s game cannot be overstated.
All week, we were told of how the Aviva had not seen a big night in over a decade, since Shane Long put the ball in Manuel Neuer’s net.
Troy Parrott has now added his name to the long list of Irish heroes in big wins, alongside Long, Robbie Brady, Jason McAteer, Ray Houghton, and co.
The boost Ireland have received from pulling off one of the biggest shocks this nation ever have will be immense, and they will carry that energy with them to Budapest.
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Plenty of big Irish stars are returning
14 October 2025; Evan Ferguson of Republic of Ireland after scoring his side’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F qualifying match between Republic of Ireland and Armenia at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó MÃdheach/Sportsfile
Heimir HallgrÃmsson will also enjoy a boost in personnel ahead of Sunday’s game.
Much was made of the players that were missing for the Portugal tie, but the team selected by HallgrÃmsson were, to a man, immense from minute one.
To add to that roster will be Ryan Manning and Jayson Molumby, both of whom were suspended for the Portugal game and will be in the mix to start.
It remains to be seen if Sunday will come too soon for Evan Ferguson, who has three goals in four games for Ireland in this group thus far. If he were to battle his way back in time – even for a spot on the bench – it would give Ireland another daunting option up front.
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The partisan crowd will be on Hungary’s backs
The Puskas Arena in Budapest (Photo: Shutterstock)
The vociferous crowd in Budapest will be a daunting prospect for Ireland to contend with, but they could well play into their favour.
This is a massive game for Hungary, too, with the Magyars seeking to qualify for a World Cup for the first time since 1986. Their infamously vocal fans are likely to be on their backs quickly if they are not on the front foot against Ireland.
If Heimir’s men can make a similar start on Sunday to the one they made against Portugal, they could whip up something of a frenzy among the home fans.
As well as the hostile reception we might see from the home fans, Ireland can count on the support of over 2,500 travelling fans in the Puskas Arena.
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We could have won in September
6 September 2025; Adam Idah of Republic of Ireland celebrates after scoring his side’s second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F qualifying match between Republic of Ireland and Hungary at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
The template for Ireland could well be the lightning start Hungary made in Dublin in September, when they were 2-0 up within 20 minutes.
Despite that, Ireland battled back to claim a valiant 2-2 draw, a result which they did deserve on the balance of the 90 minutes.
Though Ireland were poor for the first half hour, they were comfortably the better team from then on – even before Hungary’s red card, by which stage they had already pulled a goal back.
It was by no means Ireland’s best performance, but they arguably should have won such was their second half dominance against ten men – something they can take confidence from on Sunday.
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Ireland’s good record against Hungary
4 June 2024; Troy Parrott of Republic of Ireland celebrates after scoring his side’s second goal during the international friendly match between Republic of Ireland and Hungary at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Tyler Miller/Sportsfile
Ireland can also take huge confidence from their excellent record against Hungary.
The Boys in Green last lost to Hungary in 1969, and have won three and drawn four of their seven meetings since then.
Since Hungary’s re-emergence as a European force in the mid-2010s, the sides have met three times. Two draws (one in Budapest, one in Dublin) came either side of last June’s friendly win for Ireland, secured in injury time by none other than Thursday’s match-winner Troy Parrott.
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Everything on the line, the spirit of old can return
6 September 2011; Richard Dunne, Republic of Ireland, with referee Felix Brych at the end of the game. EURO 2012 Championship Qualifier, Russia v Republic of Ireland, Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, Russia. Picture credit: David Maher / SPORTSFILE
By far the most sentimental of the lot, but Ireland have a great history of pulling results out of the bag away from home when we need them in qualifying groups.
There have been some truly heroic performances down through the years in similar scenarios to the one they will face on Sunday.
Think of Richard Dunne putting his body on the line to secure a vital point in Moscow in 2011, or John O’Shea sliding in to snatch a draw in Gelsenkirchen.
James McClean’s winners in Vienna and Cardiff both helped Ireland to the 2018 World Cup playoffs, and there is a chance for another Irish star to make themselves a hero in similar circumstances on Sunday afternoon.
It’s a tall order, and winning this game back-to-back with the Portugal game is such a big ask of a team that has been shot of confidence for years.
But there is a great history of Ireland gritting their teeth and getting over the line down through the years, and Thursday’s result has seen optimism levels shoot to unprecedented highs under Heimir.
Maybe, just maybe…we can believe again…
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