The Republic of Ireland get their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign underway against Hungary at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, 6th September at 7:45pm. The pair are in one of the four-team qualifying groups with a delayed start to the campaign.
Under 2.5 goals (8/11 with Paddy Power)
Both Ireland and Hungary endured forgettable Nations League campaigns in 2024/25, spending much of the competition battling against relegation and failing to make the most of their chances. Ireland scored at a rate of just 0.9 goals per game, while Hungary fared even worse, averaging 0.6.
The Irish, however, have been harder to beat in World Cup qualifying, going unbeaten in their last five fixtures, three of which finished with fewer than three goals scored.
With both sides lacking a cutting edge in the final third and preferring a pragmatic approach, this clash has all the makings of another cagey, low-scoring contest. Backing under 2.5 goals looks the sensible call.
Dominik Szoboszlai (9/2 with Sky Bet)
Dominik Szoboszlai looks potentially well overpriced in the anytime scorer market at 9/2 with Sky Bet. The Hungarian scored a phenomenal free-kick for his club side Liverpool at the weekend and is the key player in his national side. For Hungary, Szoboszlai has scored nine goals in his last 20 outings, giving plenty of appeal to the 9/2, with other firms such as BetMGM going as short as 12/5.
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How both teams go into Republic of Ireland vs Hungary
Ireland haven’t made it to the World Cup since 2002, and they begin their latest attempt to reach the tournament. Their last qualification campaign was a tough one, finishing third in their group behind Serbia and Portugal. Ireland were some eight points behind Portugal in the play-off spot. But with just four teams fighting for two spots — one automatic and one play-off — Ireland may have more hope. The Boys in Green are unbeaten in 2025 so far, winning two and drawing two. Their two wins saw Ireland keep their spot in UEFA Nations League B, beating Bulgaria in the relegation play-off.
The 2026 World Cup will mark 40 years since Hungary’s last appearance at the tournament. And they’ll be hoping the absence stops at 4. Hungary had a tough group in qualifying for the 2022 World Cup, finishing fourth with 17 points, having won five of their 10 games. They finished behind England, Poland and Albania. Hungary endured a tough start to 2025 too, losing to Turkey in the Uefa Nations League relegation play-offs, dropping to League B. They also lost a friendly to Sweden in June, stopping the rot with a win over Azerbaijan.
Republic of Ireland team news
There have been a lot of changes from Ireland’s squad in June, with the Boys in Green looking a bit stronger. But there is a lack of goals in the squad, with Adam Idah, Troy Parrott and Evan Ferguson the joint-top scorers, each on five. Caoimhin Kelleher and Gavin Bazunu will battle to be No.1, with the new Brentford man likely to take the spot. Seamus Coleman remains out through injury.
Hungary team news
Hungary have named three uncapped players in their squad, including 30-year-old Barna Toth.
Republic of Ireland vs Hungary head-to-head
Ireland are unbeaten in their past six games against Hungary. They won the most recent meeting in a friendly last year.
| Date | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| 04/06/24 | Ireland 2-1 Hungary | Friendly |
| 08/06/21 | Hungary 0-0 Ireland | Friendly |
| 04/06/21 | Hungary 0-0 Ireland | Friendly |
| 11/09/91 | Hungary 1-2 Ireland | Friendly |
| 04/06/89 | Ireland 2-0 Hungary | World Cup qualifying |