By Alex Brady

Ireland is on the brink of elimination from the men’s FIFA world cup qualifying, with this international break being the most crucial set of games so far.  

“The boys in green” sit bottom of UEFA qualifying group B after two games, with pressure mounting on manager Heimir Hallgrimsson after an abysmal loss to Armenia and a hard-fought draw to Hungary at the Aviva Stadium in early September. 

“It’s do or die, I think not only mathematically but mentally, and especially for Heimir [Hallgrimsson] as a manager,” Matthew Brennan, of OffTheBall, added. 

Brennan added: “Portugal away is the toughest game, but you’d be thinking there needs to be something there for us to qualify, and Armenia at home should be a win. If you can’t win the on paper easiest game of qualifying, you don’t deserve to go to the World Cup.” 

Hallgrimsson’s men will travel to group leaders, and one of the favourites for the whole World Cup, Portugal on October 11.  

Spearheaded by an aging Ronaldo, Portugal will be looking to keep their 100% record by the end of the break, with the potential to qualify for 2026 World Cup should they beat both Ireland and Hungary. 

Although the game against Portugal may seem like a write off, Ireland were very unlucky to not beat Portugal in 2021, also a World Cup qualifying game.  

Manager at the time, Stephen Kenny, had the boys less than a minute away from a famous win, until a Ronaldo double broke the hearts of the nation.  

The must-win game for Ireland is the second game versus Armenia. What was thought to be a routine game which would see Ireland climb up to second, turned to disaster.  

Ireland was dominated in both halves, conceding 2 goals in 51 minutes, before Roma’s Evan Ferguson clawed one back before the hour.  

Should Ireland lose to Portugal, they would have to hope for Armenia to draw to Hungary to have the best chance at qualifying.  

However, two losses this international break will see Ireland eliminated from qualifying.  

This would mean a decade-long absence from men’s football tournament finals and would stretch the World Cup drought to 24 years. 

There are positives for Ireland fans, with Brennan adding his players to watch for the games.  

“[Jayson] Molumby is a great addition, he might get some stick from supporters, but he’s having a great season for West Brom in the [English] Championship. Will Smallbone as well for Millwall is always one to perform and bringing back John Egan you know even with a few years absence from the squad is experienced and played in the [2-1] loss to Portugal,.” he said.  

“It’s good to see Festy [Ebosele] back, he’s performing well with İstanbul [Başakşehir], he gives an extra burst of pace you might not normally get.” 

With the games just days away, injury has already struck the team, with both Sammie Szmodics and Callum O’Dowda pulling out of the squad due to injury, with Dundee United midfielder Will Ferry accepting the call up in their place.  

This leaves Hallgrimsson with just 23 men for the two games (as opposed to the usual 24).  

Ireland’s two qualifying games will take place on October 11 and 14, with the game against Portugal being first, and available to watch on RTÉ.