Dec 14,2024
Heimir Hallgrimsson is relatively pleased with Republic of Ireland's group following the World Cup qualifying draw in Zurich on Friday morning; the national team head coach saying that it was "good for us".
Ireland have been drawn in a group that will feature either Denmark or Portugal as the top seeded side, as well as second seed Hungary and fourth tiered Armenia.
The Republic were ranked among the third tier teams and Ireland will now look ahead to September 2025 to begin their quest for qualification.
A four-team group for the Irish in their bid to reach the 2026 tournament, which is to be hosted by USA, Canada and Mexico, will see just the group winners guaranteed automatic qualification.
Second place in the group would ensure a play-off route to the expanded tournament, with 48 teams set to compete at the FIFA showpiece.
"Kind of neutral, could have been worse, could have been better," said Hallgrimsson, when asked about his first impressions of the World Cup qualifying draw.
"I think it’s a group that definitely teams will take points from each other, so looking at it, I don’t think there will be a runaway winner which makes it more possible to qualify, so good for us. I think it’s a kind of an equal group."
"Yeah. I would have said that anyway no matter who we were drawn against," Hallgrimsson added, when asked whether he was excited about the campaign. "You need to be happy anyway, that is our opponent so you we just go positive into that campaign."
Hallgrimsson can start planning for the year ahead, which will begin with the Nations League play-off against Bulgaria in March, while the four-team nature of the group takes away the possibility of competitive fixtures in the always tricky June window, which should result in a couple of friendlies and a squad training camp.
"I don't think there will be a runaway winner which makes it more possible to qualify, so good for us. I think it’s a kind of an equal group."
And while the manager will not see the completed group until Denmark and Portugal duel it out in March, with the winners going into Ireland’s group, Hallgrimsson sees similarities between the top seeded duo.
"I think both these teams play similar types of football," said Hallgrimsson, when asked if he had a preference.
"Both possession teams, creative players, really good on the ball both teams. Portugal has better individuals, technically better individuals, but I think Denmark has a really good collective team.
"In Scandinavia, they are the best, in regards to technique etc, pressing. So both good teams, a little bit different but play similar styles of football."
The manager is also happy with how the calendar year is now looking as a result of the four-team group.
"Like we've talked about before, the most important thing for us was to be in a group of four teams playing this September-October-November window. It comes quick. It finishes in three months. So hopefully, everybody will be fit and ready.
"A player with a big injury could miss all the qualifiers. So let's hope we are lucky in that sense, in September, we have everybody fit and ready.
"Now we know who we are playing, we can try to find opponents in June who will be similar to the ones we are playing."
And while the manager believes that teams will take points from each other, he stressed the importance of securing the maximum return from bottom seeded Armenia, while he believes that the side’s relatively recent defeat to the low ranked side can be worked as a positive going into the group.
"It's maybe a positive for us that we lost," he said. "It's probably a good thing to have lost against them.
"They are seeded below us but I don't think any of the players would underestimate this team.
"They have had really good results this year, been in all the games they have played, never more than a one goal loss to whoever they have played. Tricky opponents.
"But if we are going to qualify, we need six points against Armenia."
Hallgrimsson also took time to pay respect to Shamrock Rovers following their qualification to the knock-out stage of the UEFA Conference League, stating that Stephen Bradley’s side are "leading the way" for Irish football.
"Yeah, impressive, just respect and compliments to them," said Hallgrimsson, when asked had he watched the team’s progress in Europe.
"They are doing good for Irish football, leading the way, and I think as well others will try to copy what they are doing.
"I’m pretty sure a lot of teams in Europe are watching them, 'who are these guys?’ Going this far this, doing this good in the tournament."
