So now we know, the World Cup play-off fixtures have been announced: Republic of Ireland will play Czech Republic away on March 26th, and if they win, they will play Denmark or North Macedonia in Dublin on March 31st.

Northern Ireland will play Italy away, and if they win, they will be away again to Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The playoffs are knockout matches so it could all end on March 26th, but what if it doesn’t?

Can Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson bring the team to the World Cup? That’s a dream that even the most diehard fans, looking at the dismal start to the qualifying campaign, had all but given up on. But then there was the win over Portugal – a victory that not only made a trip to the tournament a possibility but kept the manager in a job.

Irish Times soccer correspondent Gavin Cummiskey spoke to Hallgrímsson after the draw. On In the News he looks at the manager’s reaction to the draw, comments on our chances against the Czechs (good!) and explains how after a year of getting it wrong, everything came good for the Irish team.

Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey and Andrew McNair.

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FIFA World Cup: Can Republic of Ireland qualify for 2026?