This team features a change of formation from the Hungary game.
The Republic of Ireland face Armenia on Tuesday in another crucial World Cup qualifier, and we have selected the XI we would like to see start the game.
Following Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Hungary, Heimir Hallgrimsson’s team simply must record a victory in Yerevan.
Armenia lost 5-0 to Portugal in their opening qualifier, but it won’t be an easy game for the Boys in Green.
The last time Ireland faced Armenia in Yerevan, in the 2022 Nations League, they lost 1-0 to Armenia. In the four games between the nations, Ireland have won three, but each time it was only by a single goal. Hallgrimsson would be delighted with a 1-0 win on Tuesday.
Here is the team we would pick for the match, which features a change of formation from 3-4-2-1 to 4-3-3.
6 September 2025; Republic of Ireland players before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F qualifying match between Republic of Ireland and Hungary at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó MÃdheach/Sportsfile
Formation: 4-3-3.
GK: CaoimhÃn Kelleher.
Kelleher was named the man of the match for his performance against Hungary. Ryan Manning arguably should have got the nod instead, but the Brentford goalkeeper played a vital part in the draw.
Kelleher could do little to prevent Hungary’s two goals, and made several important saves, helping Ireland mount a comeback.
The former Liverpool keeper has firmly established himself as Ireland’s number one.
RB: Jake O’Brien.
O’Brien is a natural centre-half, but has taken his chance at right-back for both Everton and Ireland, proving a capable successor to Seamus Coleman.
Against Hungary, the 24-year-old was solid in defence and functional going forward. He delivered several crosses in the penalty area as Ireland laid siege to the opponents’ goal.
O’Brien is picked in this team ahead of Matt Doherty, a more experienced player and natural right-back. Doherty, however, played poorly against Hungary and was culpable for both of the goals conceded.
CB: Dara O’Shea & Nathan Collins.
Collins and O’Shea retain their place in this team to face Armenia, but both will need to improve from the Hungary game.
O’Shea was arguably caught off guard for Hungary’s first goal, while Collins was quite loose in possession and misplaced three passes in the build-up to the opening goal.
They are, however, Ireland’s best options in central defence and are also a threat from attacking set-pieces.
LB: Ryan Manning
Manning was Ireland’s best player in the 2-2 draw with Hungary. The Southampton full-back played in a wide attacking position and was the team’s main creative outlet.
Manning registered an assist, but his contribution merited more. He delivered 17 crosses in the game and found a teammate with 11 of them. Manning also had four shots in the game, with two efforts on target.
For the trip to Armenia, we have selected Manning at left-back instead. He will still be a key part of Ireland’s attacking plan, but will do so from deeper. Manning is also the best option Hallgrimsson has to play at left-back, with Doherty struggling in the role.
92mins: IRL 2-2 HUN
Idah equalises at the death! He gets a bit of space and manages a leaping header to get his sixth goal for his country.
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📱Live blog https://t.co/YXqp4pbqKj pic.twitter.com/U34fZ90lzf
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) September 6, 2025
CM: Josh Cullen
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Cullen has been in excellent form for Burnley in the Premier League, but he struggled to get any control in the game against Hungary. The occasion passed him by before he was substituted in the 65th minute.
Cullen remains Ireland’s best option for the deep-lying midfield role, but he will need to improve against Armenia.
6 September 2025; Attila Szalai of Hungary is tackled by Josh Cullen of Republic of Ireland during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F qualifying match between Republic of Ireland and Hungary at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
CM: Jason Knight
Knight produced one of his better performances against Hungary, as the disjointed nature of the game appeared to suit his qualities.
The midfielder snapped into tackles, rarely lost possession, and set the tempo for his teammates with a high-energy display.
CM: Finn Azaz
Azaz played in the forward line against Hungary, but he drops back into midfield in this team to play Armenia.
The Southampton star scored 12 goals and registered 11 assists for Middlesbrough last season in an attacking midfield role, and he could be a creative spark for Ireland in the role.
Ireland have also made the mistake in recent years of playing two midfielders in competitive matches, and allowing themselves to become overrun.
This formation has a natural balance in the middle of the pitch. Cullen will hopefully dictate play, Knight provides energy and bite, while Azaz could be the attacking fulcrum.
RM: Chiedozie Ogbene
Ogbene returns to the starting XI for this team as we have opted for two natural wingers. Sammie Szmodics has also dropped out of the squad with an injury.
Ogbene showed flashes of his positive qualities against Hungary when he was substituted on in the second half.
He won several free-kicks and helped the team pin their opponents back.
LM: Mikey Johnston
Johnston came on as a late substitute against Hungary and played an intelligent pass to Manning, who crossed for Adam Idah to score.
He is a natural winger and, against Armenia, could dovetail well with Manning by cutting inside. Johnston is also ideal for Hallgrimsson’s game plan.
The West Brom winger will deliver crosses into the box and provide service for Ferguson.
As the second half against Hungary proved, Ireland’s best chance of scoring is from set-pieces and crosses into the box. Johnston and Ogbene are suited to this game plan.
CF: Evan Ferguson
The Roma forward produced Ireland’s only positive moment in the first half when he created a chance for himself and drew a save from the Hungary goalkeeper.
Ferguson then scored early in the second half, sparking the team’s comeback, but Hallgrimsson will still arguably feel the centre-forward was too isolated.
He only had 21 touches in the game – the fewest of any Ireland player who started the game. That will need to change against Armenia, and Ireland will need to find ways to get their star striker more involved in the match.
Here is the full XI:
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