The countdown is for the Irish soccer team to take on Czechia for a chance to be in the first World Cup since 2002.
The Boys in Green take on Czechia this Thursday, March 26, at the Fortune Arena, Prague, for a place in the play-off finals next week.
If they are successful in Prague, the Republic of Ireland will host either Denmark or North Macedonia the following Tuesday.
The countdown is for the Irish soccer team to take on Czechia for a chance to be in the first World Cup since 2002. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
With just two wins needed for Ireland to be in their first World Cup in more than 20 years, the nation waits with bated breath.
Ahead of the first of the big games this week, the official Ireland Football page took to social media to share a brilliant video to ramp up the excitement.
The minute and a half video sees the Republic of Ireland team in their quest for a place in the play-offs last year, including the string of glorious goals from Forward Troy Parrott.
The minute and a half video sees the Republic of Ireland team in their quest for a place in the play-offs last year, including the string of glorious goals from Forward Troy Parrott. Pic: Ryan Byrne/INPHO
The video is accompanied by It Must Be Love by Madness, with the Ireland Football social media platforms writing: ‘It must be love.’
Social media users and soccer fans have been sharing the post to their own pages, with many sharing words of hope and encouragement ahead of the World Cup play-offs.
TV presenter John Creedon wrote: ‘It’s been a tough road to Prague, with a real test on Thursday night, but here’s one for the believers.’
It must be love 💚 pic.twitter.com/gZk9gVQpjW
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) March 21, 2026
Another added: ‘One dream, a four year wait. Nothing else matters.’
‘Getting in the mood for Thursday night now,’ a third commented, while a fourth said the video would ‘bring a tear to a glass eye.’
Last week, Ireland coach Heimir Hallgrimsoson named his team ahead of the play-offs with Seamus Coleman, Bosun Lawal, Adam Idah, Ciedozie Ogbene and Robbie Brady among the team.
Thursday will see former England U19s Euros winning captain Harvey Vale don the green jersey for the first time, after more than a year in talks for a call-up.
Speaking after announcing his squad, Hallgrimsson spoke about how his team needs to approach next week’s massive play-offs.
‘We need to maximise what we have and be bluntly honest, what we need to do, we’ve done certain things very well, we’ve improved in a lot of ares and we just need to continue doing the same thing, don’t start to do something totally different.’