Who: Portugal vs Republic of Ireland
Content: UEFA World Cup Qualifiers
Location: Estadio Jose Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal
Date and time: Saturday, October 11th, 7:45pm (18:45 GMT)
Portugal will look to strengthen their grip on Group F in UEFA World Cup qualifying when they take on unbeaten Republic of Ireland in Lisbon on Saturday.
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The Portuguese team won the UEFA Nations League title earlier this year and is part of the soccer team that belatedly joined the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Al Jazeera Sports is covering the match, which could decide Portugal’s place in next year’s finals, while being a must-win for Ireland.
How has Portugal fared in World Cup qualifiers so far?
Portugal has won twice in the opening qualifiers for Group F, defeating Armenia 5-0 in the first match and Hungary 3-2 in the second match.
How have Ireland fared in World Cup qualifiers so far?
Ireland came from two points behind to draw 2-2 with 10-a-side Hungary in their first Group F match in Dublin. Adam Ida scored the equalizing goal in the 90th minute. The Irish again fell behind by two goals in the second leg away to Armenia, but Evan Ferguson’s 57th-minute goal ensured the hosts won 2-1.
Why did Portugal and Ireland only recently participate in World Cup qualifiers?
Portugal and Ireland, along with 22 other teams, are currently only part of the World Cup qualification program as some of the top seeds advance to the 2025 Nations League, which culminates in June.
Portugal won the 2025 final, defeating Spain 5-3 in a penalty shootout.
Portugal defeated Germany in the semi-finals and Spain defeated France. The rest of the tournament’s later qualifiers will now only participate in the World Cup qualifiers.
Spots are filling up. ⏳🏆 @aramco | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/3opHdZQUDX
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) October 10, 2025
What happened the last time Portugal played Ireland?
Portugal defeated Ireland 3-0 in a friendly in June 2024, the last time the two sides met.
Joao Félix gave the Portuguese the lead in the first half of the match in Aveiro, before Cristiano Ronaldo scored the second goal to seal the victory.
The last meeting between the two sides was in the 2021 World Cup qualifiers, which ended in a 0-0 draw with Ireland. Portugal came from behind to win 3-1, helping them qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Ireland failed to qualify.
Roberto Martinez says Cristiano Ronaldo hasn’t lost any hunger
“Usually when a player wins or achieves something, they don’t feel the same hunger the next morning. But with Cristiano Ronaldo, I’ve never seen anything like that,” Martinez said ahead of the game against Ireland.
“With him, we have a chance to be even better the next morning and win again. This is special. I can’t explain it.”
“He has a 20-year career. He is not the same player as he was before, but he always finds a way to help and is an example for other players. His love for football and the national team is there for all to see. He played more than 200 games and continues to set an example. He will be remembered forever.”
Commenting on the qualification process, Martinez added: “The focus of the national team is to qualify. We are taking it step by step. The training camp in September was very good, but we cannot afford to lose what we did in September. Our focus is to reach the highest level against Ireland.”
Ireland need ‘almost perfect game’ against Portugal
“We know that if we want to get something out of this game we have to play an almost perfect game,” Republic of Ireland coach Heimir Hallgrimsson said.
“Then we have a chance to take a point or win the game. Of course we have to try to keep a clean sheet. That’s always going to be easier.”
“We have a game plan that we think will work and we’ll see if it comes to fruition. But obviously if you look at the table, we need at least three points in this camp. And for obvious reasons, it’s probably against Armenia that everyone is saying, ‘Okay, we can perform better than against Armenia and get three points there.’
direct confrontation
This is the 17th time the European teams have played each other, with Portugal winning nine and Ireland four.
Ireland’s last win in this match was in a friendly in 2005, with a lone goal from Andy O’Brien in Dublin. Four matches were played after that, of which Portugal won three.
Ireland’s last win against Portugal was in the 1995 European Championship qualifiers.
The match dates back to 1946, when Portugal won 3-1 at home in a friendly.
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Portugal team news
Midfielder Joao Neves and defender Joao Cancelo are absent due to hamstring injuries.
Republic of Ireland team news
The Irish have been hit by an extensive injury list that includes Matt Doherty, Jason Knight, Bosun Lawal, Callum O’Dowda and Sammy Schmodics.
Striker Troy Parrott came on as a substitute against AZ Alkmaar at the weekend, making his return to the Ireland squad after missing the last two internationals due to injury.
Portugal national team projected starting lineup
Costa; Dalot, Diaz, Inacio, Mendes. Bernardo, Vicinha, Fernandez. Conceição, Ronaldo, Neto
Republic of Ireland starters
Kelleher. O’Brien, O’Shea, Collins. Ogbene. Cullen, Knight, Manning. Taylor, Azaz. ferguson
