Heimir Hallgrímsson has some big decisions to make
09:33, 26 Mar 2026Updated 09:48, 26 Mar 2026
Heimir Hallgrímsson (Image: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne)
Ireland are in Prague for their biggest game in years on Thursday when they face Czechia in a World Cup play-off semi-final.
Heimir Hallgrímsson and his squad know the magnitude of the task in hand, with a victory setting up an all or nothing clash with the winners of Denmark and North Macedonia in Dublin next Tuesday.
The Boys in Green caused a major upset when they triumphed over Portugal and Hungary last November, securing their place in the play-offs.
But can Troy Parrott and his team complete the task against Czechia and the victors of Denmark and North Macedonia?
There’s a confident mood within the squad – yet numerous queries remain to be addressed before the match begins.
Will Harvey Vale be selected just weeks after his switch from England to Ireland was confirmed?
Who will step up to the plate as left-wing-back with Liam Scales out due to suspension?
And can Parrott maintain his remarkable scoring streak?
Here are the teams we think could start for both Ireland and Czechia:
Czechia: Tomas Holes, Ladislav Krejci, Robin Hranac – Vladimir Coufal, Vladimir Darida, Lukas Provod, Pavel Sulc, David Jurasek – Tomas Chory, Patrik Schick.
Ireland: Caoimhin Kelleher – Jake O’Brien, Nathan Collins, Dara O’Shea – Seamus Coleman, Jayson Molumby, Jack Taylor, Ryan Manning – Harvey Vale, Finn Azaz – Troy Parrott.