Ireland\u2019s possible opponents in League B:<\/p>\n
Pot 1: Israel, Hungary, Poland, Scotland<\/p>\n
Pot 2: Switzerland, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Austria, Ukraine<\/p>\n
Pot 3: Republic of Ireland, Georgia, Slovenia, Romania<\/p>\n
Pot 4: Northern Ireland, Sweden, North Macedonia, Kosovo<\/p>\n
The only restriction for League B\u2019s draw is that Bosnia-Herzegovina cannot be in the same group as Kosovo.<\/p>\n
Former Belgium international Mbo Mpenza has joined the hosts on stage for the draw, as has Uefa deputy secretary general Giorgio Marchetti. The draw should begin shortly.<\/p>\n
The Nations League draw ceremony is underway in Brussels now, but there will likely be a lot of the usual messing around and talking beforehand. Right now there\u2019s some people in robot suits doing a dance, although we\u2019re clearly getting closer to the real stuff now, as they\u2019ve started doing keepy-uppies.<\/p>\n
Heimir Hallgr\u00edmsson\u2019s side have confirmed two friendlies before this summer\u2019s World Cup. Should Ireland qualify, their preparation for a first World Cup in 24 years would involve a home game against Qatar and a trip to Canada to play the co-hosts, just a week before their opening game of the tournament.<\/p>\n
Ireland got a tough group last time out in the Nations League, drawing England, Greece, and Finland. Finishing on 6 points after two wins over Finland and four losses elsewhere in the group, Ireland had to beat Bulgaria in a play-off last year to maintain League B status.<\/p>\n
Uefa President Aleksander \u010ceferin refused to be drawn on his Fifa counterpart Gianni Infantino\u2019s comments about ending the ban on Russian teams in European competitions. Infantino stated that the ban had \u201cnot achieved anything\u201d, while \u010ceferin cautiously commented \u201cI can only say that I do not want to enter into dispute here.\u201d However, the Slovenian official also said that Uefa has not changed its position, writes Gavin Cummiskey.<\/p>\n
[Uefa boss Aleksander \u010ceferin declines to support Gianni Infantino comments on Russia ban<\/a>]<\/p>\n Ireland\u2019s possible opponents from today\u2019s draw are:<\/p>\n Pot 1: Israel, Hungary, Poland, Scotland<\/p>\n Pot 2: Switzerland, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Austria, Ukraine<\/p>\n Pot 3: Republic of Ireland, Georgia, Slovenia, Romania<\/p>\n Pot 4: Northern Ireland, Sweden, North Macedonia, Kosovo<\/p>\n It\u2019s hard to believe now, but Evan Ferguson was Ireland\u2019s clear starting number nine, until injuries ruled him out and paved the way for the coronation of Troy Parrott. With Ferguson now stuck behind new Roma signing, Donyell Malen, the 21-year-old\u2019s ankle injuries seem to have cost him his spot in the pecking order for the Italian giants. In his column yesterday, Kevin Kilbane criticised Roma manager Gian Piero Gasperini\u2019s comments about the youngster\u2019s injury record.<\/p>\n![\"FIFA](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/QMUDDP6S4PF5C47S52U4SOVX7M.jpg\")
FIFA President Gianni Infantino (left) and UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin (right) at the UEFA Ordinary Congress in Brussels. Photograph: Pau Barrena\/AFP via Getty Images. <\/p>\n