Irish Football Predictions For The 2025/2026 Season
With less than a month to go from the beginning of Ireland’s World Cup qualifying campaign and most of Europe’s major leagues back in full swing, it’s prediction time for Ireland Radar as we get our writers Dylan Hudson and James Ffrench to map out how the season may look for Ireland and its players.
We, of course, ask all the important questions like – Who will score the most goals? Will Ireland be in a World Cup for the first time in over two decades?
And will Damien Duff end up in a documentary following an American owner’s footsteps into owning an English club?
Find out what the lads have to say below!
Can Ferguson Revive the Hype?
Dylan: It’s fair to say Evan Ferguson made a flying start to his career with host club Roma, scoring 5 times in his first two games. However, now isn’t the time to get carried away.
It’s not been an enjoyable last couple of years for Ferguson to say the least. Less than two years ago Alan Shearer talked of seeing himself in the young Meath man, and his club Brighton slapped a £100m value on him amid interest from all the top teams in England.
It seemed Ireland finally had their Robbie Keane replacement, or even someone that could surpass his legacy.
But fast forward to the present day and Evan Ferguson definitely doesn’t strut around the pitch with the confidence of a prime Alan Shearer – with only a singular goal scored in the 2024/2025 Premier League campaign, it would be strange if he did still show so much swagger.
Goals did come in an Ireland shirt against Finland and Bulgaria in successive camps, but it would be a lie to say he looked near 100% fit. In truth, he probably never fully recovered from his ankle injury in 2024.
Having his first undisrupted pre-season in almost 2 years could be all that Ferguson needs to gain that spark back and forget all about that dreadful West Ham loan where he only started one game.
Tammy Abraham was not in an entirely different situation to Ferguson when he joined I Giallorossi back in 2021, managing 27 goals and winning the adoration of the fans in his first season. If Evan hits double figures I think we would all consider it a success and if he stays fit I would back him to do just that.
James: It is difficult to not get excited after Evan’s pre-season exploits given his tumultuous 2024/25 campaign. His departure from the pressure cooker that is English football has seemed the inevitable solution to his struggles at Brighton for some time now, and he should benefit from operating away from the glaring eyes of the British and Irish media.
In theory, a move to Gian Piero Gasperini’s Roma seems the perfect fit. His hugely successful decade at Atalanta saw him transform many talented strikers from nothing to something. Duvan Zapata, Mateo Retugui, Charles De Ketelaere, Ademola Lookman to name a few all had standout seasons in Bergamo. “The” James Horncastle even went as far as to say “If you give a striker to Gasearini, that striker will have to have a very bad season to not score 15 goals”.
Artem Dovbyk will be Ferugson’s main source of competition in Rome, but with Europa League football and Gasperini’s occasional tendency to play two strikers you would imagine he will see plenty of football over the course of the season. With a full pre-season under him and confidence high, who would dare doubt the Bettystown man hitting at least double figures or perhaps more.
How will Keith Andrews fare at Brentford?
Dylan: I think a more experienced manager would be forgiven for failing to succeed coming in right after Thomas Frank at Brentford – quite possibly the most important figure in the history of their club. If that’s not enough of a challenge, Brentford have lost nearly 60 per cent of their goals from the previous season in the transfer market following the departure of Bryan Mbeumo and impending departure of Yoane Wissa.
Keith Andrews has all that ahead of him and you can call Keith Andrews many things, one of them however is not an experienced manager.
I fear, through no fault of his own, that the ex-Republic of Ireland midfielder has the most uphill of uphill tasks ahead of him. Last year Keith was the set piece coach at Brentford and before that he was more well known to most for his punditry duties rather than what he has done in the coaching world. At any club and for this would be a difficult task, but even an eternal optimist would struggle to see how this goes well for Ireland’s former Assistant Manager.
It would be so nice if it does work, we could do with a success story, and since their promotion in 2021 nobody could accuse Brentford of not knowing what they are doing, but this feels like trouble.
Sadly, come the new year, I expect to end up seeing Jordan Henderson doing a game or two as a caretaker player/coach before a trendy Scandinavian manager is appointed to help steer the ship back to safety. Sorry Keith, go prove me wrong!
James: This was certainly one of the more interesting managerial appointments of the summer. To the Irish eye, Andrews was known most for his partnership with Glenn Whelan in midfield for Ireland in the early 2010’s, which mostly struck confidence into the opposition. His punditry and role as Stephen Kenny’s Ireland assistant failed to really showcase his own personality and management style.
Andrews was highly rated by Frank during his time and thus it is no surprise he has landed the job in theory. Brentford along with Brighton are two of the smartest clubs in the world if not the pinnacle. Their combination of data and smart decision making has seen them rise to heights that they really should not have given their modest standings in English football.
The Brentford hierarchy no doubt put a lot of time and research into this decision and given their excellent track record you would have to give them the benefit of the doubt, but there is another case where Frank has specifically recommended Andrews to be given the number one job, akin to how Sir Alex set David Moyes up for failure. Depending on which was the reasoning behind giving him the job, it is safe to say it can go one of two ways.
Brentford will struggle, but a late transfer show could give them some hope. I optimistically sway towards Andrews succeeding this season. “Suceeding” meaning staying up.
Top Scorer
Both: They say great minds think alike, but in this case mediocre minds are united in the opinion that Troy Parrott will finish the season as Ireland’s top scorer in club football. Although all the preseason hype has been about getting Evan Ferguson back fit and firing, Troy Parrot has had a head start thanks to the UEFA Conference League qualifying rounds and the Eredivise having a slightly earlier start than most other European leagues.
The AZ Alkmaar striker has already recorded (at the time of writing) 8 goals in 5 matches played and will be aiming to finish higher in his league’s top scorer ranks where he tied for 3rd on 14 goals in the previous campaign. In terms of competition, Adam Idah has started 2025/2026 slowly for Celtic and although we hope the aforementioned Ferguson will enjoy a good season in Rome, it is hard to see him bag more than the 20+ goals that Parrott will no doubt be aiming for.
However a spanner may be thrown in the works if a move to a struggling Premier League side in the winter window comes into fruition. Troy has attracted unfulfilled Premier League interest recently due to his exploits in The Netherlands, and early in his career was seen as a possible Harry Kane heir at Spurs, so he will be familiar to the teams in England.
Whether or not it would be a good move is debatable, but surely it’s not just us who can picture him showing off the Red Bull sponsor of the Leeds shirt in 2026?
Where Next for Damien Duff?
Dylan: It was quite the shock when Damien Duff announced his departure from Shelbourne following their poor start to the season earlier this year. In truth, yes it was a poor start to the season, but nothing that could not have been turned around and it can be argued that Shelbourne’s success in 2024 was an overachievement, especially when compared to their expectations before the start of that campaign.
Rumours were swirling of Championship and League One interest in Duffer (which he announced he had no intention of listening to) but now out of a job and with a return to the League of Ireland probably unlikely anytime soon, I think we will be enjoying Duff’s post-match rants this time from the 2nd or 3rd level of the English football pyramid.
Let’s hope whatever club Duff joins is soon swept up by a random American celebrity – as is the trend at the moment. Let’s say Matthew McConaughey for fun. Wouldn’t it be great to get behind-the-scenes access to Duffer’s antics on whatever streaming site decides to buy the rights?
James: While you wouldn’t rule out his old buddy Keith Andrews bringing him into the Brentford setup, it does seem a small bit sudden, The Celtic twitter stratosphere is theorising a return to Glasgow for Duff where he was part of Neil Lennon’s coaching team back in 2019.
Amid internal battles within the hierarchy at Celtic and Brendan Rodgers now in his final year of his contract, some are speculating current Pathway manager Shaun Maloney (current assistant to Brodge), along with John Kennedy and Duff could make up the coaching team next season. Whether this appointment would go down well with Celtic fans…I doubt it would, but the Duffman rocking up to Ibrox would certainly make for box office viewing.
Who Made the Best Move?
Dylan: Before Brentford’s turbulent summer transfer window (see Keith Andrews fate prediction), Caoimhin Kelleher would have been my pick here. But now with the risk of Brentford falling down the table rather than pushing for Europe, I am going to change my pick to Evan Ferguson. We have talked previously about his need to get out of England to reset his career, even if his future does lie there.
And with Italy having such a reputation for boosting former Premier League player’s careers such as Scott McTominay (who won the league’s player of the season in 2024/2025), Tammy Abraham and Ademola Lookman, the last of which benefitted greatly from Ferguson’s new head coach Gian Piero Gasperini.
Above all it’s a chance for him to have a proper preseason, as well as being in an environment, as videos of Roma fans serenading him at the airport when he arrived in Italy would suggest, that he will be adored in. Ferguson does not need to set the world on fire for this to be a successful move. Just getting his confidence and fitness back will do wonders for the player and hopefully for his national team too.
Honourable mention to Andrew Omobamidele who made his loan deal permanent to Strasbourg earlier in the summer. He’s somewhat become a forgotten man in Ireland’s defence after being omitted from some of the most recent squads.
Escaping the Premier League bench/Championship starter purgatory that a lot of his colleagues have got stuck in can be a chance to finally prove himself in his career and under such a talented coach in Liam Rosenior and a club that’s on an upward trajectory, he has every chance of reminding us just why we were so excited about him a few years ago.
James: Caoimhin Kelleher is my pick for best move, with the fact Dylan chose Fergie certainly not the main reason for my choice. That aside, Kelleher finally being a no1 at a Premier League is huge for Ireland’s fortunes. The former Ringmahon Rangers man has showcased his quality for years as a number 2 in Merseyside and this move has come later than deserved in the eyes of many.
Few have doubted him to play at the highest level, and internationally he has rarely let his country down. However, when he has come into Ireland camp lacking minutes, he has made occasional mistakes and looked cold. Such an issue is inevitable when not match sharp, but hopefully it is something which we won’t have to contend with for the foreseeable.
A sharp Kelleher coming into the break next month would be crucial for Heimir’s World Cup aspirations.
Who is Unlucky Not to Get a Move?
Dylan: When rumours started circulating of a Premier League move for Finn Azaz, shortly after making a great impression on Irish fans in both legs against Bulgaria back in March, I was certain a move would come into fruition. Now in August, with the Championship season already starting and the Premier League season to begin on Friday, Finn Azaz still plays his trade for Middlesbrough in English Football’s second tier.
I am scratching my head as to how this has happened. Finn managed double digits for both goals and assists in 2024/2025 (12 goals and 11 assists) and is at a prime age for the next big step in his career as he will turn 25 next month.
Premier League teams – you have less than a month left in the window, fix this situation, you almost certainly won’t regret it.
Honourable mention to Dara O’Shea who despite Ipswich’s relegation, gave a good account of himself, winning the club’s Player of The Season and showed that he can be a capable Premier League defender
James: Jason Knight is a player who Ireland could do with operating at a higher level, given our obvious deficiencies in midfield. He had been long tipped for a move to the Bundesliga before making the move to Bristol where he has enjoyed two stellar seasons. The last of which was perhaps his best, making 50 appearances, registering nine goal contributions and not missing a single minute of football the entire Championship season, including a two-legged playoff loss to Sheffield United.
All three promoted Premier League sides have been reluctant to dip into the Championship market this summer, probably given how doing so turned out for all three relegated sides last year.
A move abroad would have been a nice change of pace from Irish players settling for Championship football. However, Knight and Bristol will have their eyes set on promotion this season and have started well after a 4-1 act of vengeance against Sheffield United.
It’s a Big Season For…
Dylan: The proper answer here is that it is a big season for everyone, especially when there is a sliver of optimism of qualifying for the World Cup. Now I get that makes me sound like a cop-out but how many players can you really say in the national team side are nailed on starters. Kelleher? Collins?
The rest is up for grabs. It’s hardly news but the squad is sorely lacking in star talent but it is not lacking in competition for places. Take defense for example, Collins and O’Shea seems to be the partnership that Heimir prefers but is there really that much to separate O’Shea from the likes of an Omobamidele, Scales or even Jake O’Brien ability wise?
Ogbene has been seen as one of our key players for a number of years now, but do we really lose any quality if Kasey McAteer is preferred ahead of him?
Parrott and Azaz are perhaps the best examples here. I came out of the games against Bulgaria with the opinion, as I assume many others who tuned in did, that those two might just be Ireland’s best players at the moment. At the same time, if Azaz and Parrott start the season slowly, Szmodics and Idah offer only the slimmest of drop offs in quality if any drop off at all.
There’s plenty more examples of this across the pitch, are we much worse if Molumby plays instead of Knight or when Manning steps in for Brady? Look further at the likes of Rocco Vata, such anticipation was had for his debut and our very own Ronan Calvert waxed lyrical about him on The Ireland Radar podcast back in December. Yet I’d be no less surprised if Vata was starting games for Ireland as if he was not featured in squads at all, such is the competition between players on the same if not similar levels.
Again to reiterate, yes there are no stars in this side, and we desperately need someone to separate themselves from the pack, but there’s a pretty valid argument to be had that this is the strongest squad depth the national team has enjoyed in a very long time and players will have to hope to make a good start to the season if they want to be sure of a place in the squad come September 6th and beyond.
James: There are many external factors coming together relatively nicely squad wise heading into the crucial World Cup qualifiers in September. Kelleher has got his move and will finally be a first choice, backed up by a rejuvenated Gavin Bazunu at Southampton. Nathan Collins and Jake O’Brien are expected to start every week for their respective sides in the Premier League and they are supplemented by Dara O’Shea and Liam Scales who have both been first choice at their clubs to start the season.
Our wingbacks are scarce in supply but if Ryan Manning and Matt Doherty remain fit and see minutes to start the season, Heimir will be relatively content (the latter is whom I worry most regarding minutes). Our midfield is our midfield, a position that has rarely strayed from Knight and Cullen in recent years, but both are in good moments at the minute in their careers, with Cullen back in the top flight and Jason starting the season as well has finished the last.
Fergie and Parrot have both started their seasons scoring freely (yes pre season does count). But here is when my positivity ramble halts, just for a moment. The wingers/attacking midfielders Heimir has opted to utilise have differed greatly so far in his tenure.
From Szomodics to Azaz, to the returning Ogbene and even the much hyped Rocco Vata and Kasey McAteer, options are plenty and it is a big season for all aforementioned. I expect Finn Azaz to start but who becomes an option off the bench is a difficult question to answer.
A good couple of weeks for any attacker could see them named in the squad next month. It is a guessing game for now, the picture will become clearer in the weeks to come.
First Lineup (vs Hungary, September 6th)
Dylan: Kelleher, Doherty, Collins, O’Shea, Manning, Azaz, Cullen, Knight, Ogbene, Parrott, Ferguson
The tricky thing with trying to predict Heimir’s lineup’s is trying to pick something that suits both a 4-4-2 and a 3-4-1-2 shape as his Ireland side has typically switched between the two depending on being in or out of possession, and my predicted side seems – to me anyways – a strong fit for Heimir’s ideals.
I have gone for Doherty over O’Brien knowing The Dentist’s preference for trying to open the pitch as wide as possible. Ogbene’s and Manning’s availability to play both as wide midfielder or wing back will be key to the flexibility that Ireland will look to play with. Expect Azaz to attack in central midfield positions while Ireland are on the ball and defend from wide left when they lose it.
James: Kelleher, O’Brien, Collins, O’Shea, Manning, Azaz. Cullen, Knight, Ogbene, Szomodics, Ferguson
More of a hopeful pick that O’Brien will play over Doherty, Manning and Ogbene will offer key flexibility as both wing backs and wingers. The formation will be fluid as usual, I have picked Szomodics over Parrott as I am sceptical Heimir would play Fergie and Parrot together in such a do or die game.
Szomodics would offer more flexibility to drop deeper into midfield out of possession.
Far Too Early Prediction for 2026/27
Dylan: Nathan Collins Gets a Big Move
This summer has undoubtedly been the transfer window of the striker, with everyone but Newcastle seeming to sign a striker for big money. But next summer we could end up having a merry-go-round for defenders and if we do expect new Brentford captain Nathan Collins to get involved. The transfer window can get wild in its closing weeks so never rule out a move before the end of this window. It would, however, be extremely unlikely with Brentford being in no panic to sell.
Many big clubs might go into the 2026/27 season needing to bolster their defence and while I have been critical of his performances in an Irish shirt in the past, there’s no denying that Nathan Collins has been one of the most consistent defenders in the league for two seasons now, having been the only outfield player to play every minute of the 2024/25 season.
Don’t be surprised if he ends up on a lot of big teams shopping lists. Does Thomas Frank look to bring him with him after his first season at Spurs.
Manchester United will certainly be looking for a defender next season, having prioritized other issues this summer, Collins previous experience in a back 3 for Brentford and Ireland could make him the ideal candidate for Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system.
But the wildcard here is a potential move to Liverpool. While it might seem overly ambitious, Liverpool have targeted aerially dominant, progressive centre backs in the past and with Ibrahima Konate’s contract situation (which expires in 2026) still unresolved and Virgil Van Dijk now 34, it turns an optimistic situation into a quite plausible one.
Plus Neil Atkinson, who I admire greatly, told me that he has a hunch this might happen, and who am I to deny his predictions?
James: Parrot back in England.
I hinted at this earlier but if the Dubliner keeps scoring at the rate he currently is the obvious links to England will come and I feel they will be concrete rather than the recent lazy rumors. Strikers who score 20 goals a season (Troy’s tally from last season) are golden eggs these days, and in particular in a top 7 league.
Already half way to his tally last season, consecutive 20 goal seasons will no doubt result in a move back to the Premier League in my opinion, especially given his goalscoring exploits are coming not at an Ajax or PSV which make them all the more impressive. Remaining on the continent is best for Troy from my perspective given his most likely move would probably be a recently promoted Premier League side which hardly offers stability as much of our squad has found out.
My one hope is if AZ make it to the Conference League group stages they go on a significant run, and Troy may have interest from some top European sides.
Are Ireland in The 2026 World Cup?
Dylan: Yes Absolutely….. But Actually No.
It is completely foreign to me to hear an Ireland manager say with 100% confidence that the country will qualify for a World Cup. It feels like taboo really. But Heimir Hallgrimmson does not seem to care, even going so far as to say he did not include the Championship players in his last international camp because they will not get a summer break next year when they are at the World Cup.
It’s bold but refreshing and even I, the eternal pessimist that I am, believe there is a chance mostly due to his assertion that Ireland will compete in America. It would be impossible for the fans to share the same exact unwavering confidence that Heimir has, but there is some hope which we have not had for a long time. I’m ready to join the fun and say we can and will do it.
Yes, Hungary are a better side than us on paper, but their form as of late has been poor, only managing one victory which came against Azerbaijan.
I am under no illusions however that top spot will belong to Nations League winners Portugal, even with a 40 year old striker.
The aim will be to perform better than Hungary in games against Armenia, then it becomes a shootout for second place and entrance into qualifying play offs. But…
The truth is deep down I know it is an uphill battle. Hungary are – on paper – a better side than us, and I am terrified of the prospect of their star Liverpool duo of Dominik Szoboszlai and Milos Kerkez wreaking havoc on our defence.
The scars of the Kenny-era still haunts my confidence in saying that we will get the beter of Armenia in both ties. And even if we manage to do so well to get into the playoff rounds, am I really sure that we will pass by not just one round but two rounds of playoffs? Yes? No? I don’t know? Maybe?
But! (and this is the final but I promise) this is my first time being so conflicted about Ireland’s chances of any sort of qualification. Normally I have us written off before kick-off in our first game.
At the end of the day I hope at bare minimum to be able to go to the Aviva with some stakes attached and not be out of any chance of progression by game three. I am going to get on board the boyish optimism train, it is fun to actually get excited for once (even if I am truthful I know that it’s probably not going to happen).
James: I Would Probably Include Travel Insurance
The flaws in this Ireland team are well pronounced. We struggle to retain the ball in our midfield and our defence which on paper is above average seems to always concede soft goals. There are of course others but I will refrain from changing my own mind whether we qualify.
My greatest concern is we approach our opening fixture and our most important imo against Hungary in a slow, conservative, passive manner. Such a style and mentality has never served us well against sides of similar quality to us in qualifying.
A draw will be an accepted result but I hope it is not one we settle for, despite our recent good form on the road I do not ideally want a situation where we must win in Hungary to go through.
As Dylan has mentioned, both Hungary and Armenia come into this camp in somewhat of a downward spiral, while we seem to be having a hint of positivity heading into the campaign, a rare occurrence to say the least. Armenia away is a traumatic thought for any Irish fan but their recent poor form along with our two wins over their fellow League C side Bulgaria gives me confidence.
Portugal, for me, is a free hit given their obvious quality, although revenge on Ronny given the happy days we have given him recently would be tremendous.
The margin for error in these games is minimal, but the fewer games could suit Ireland in a way. Over the old ten game campaign rarely would a side qualify if their play did not deserve it.
Here, with just six games, we have the opportunity to scam our way to America.
Would I rather we outplay Hungary and Armenia over four games? Yes, but I don’t have the utmost confidence that will be the case.
The glaring positive going into next month for me is we have hope, which I don’t feel we have had heading into any qualification campaign that I care to remember. It cannot be underestimated how game changing it could be to have Ferguson coming into camp after starting the Serie A season in goalscoring form. As we have seen with many nations over the years one quality standout player can go a long way.
The new format is almost tournament-ike in its scheduling, which hopefully will forge a strong bond and confidence in the group. A win in the opener is crucial. Yeah, book your flights now.
Quickfire Predictions and Wildcards
And finally we end on our quickfire predictions wildcard’s. In our wildcard’s we chance our arm at some bad, frankly extremely unlikely predictions but crucially are not outside the realms of possibility.
Dylan:
- More than three involved or recently involved players retire from international football by the end of Ireland’s 2025/2026 campaign.
- Kiernan Dewsbury Hall declares for Ireland only if World Cup qualification is achieved.
- There will be no silver bullet for Ireland’s midfield woes (sorry John Patrick fans)
- Even without telling us anything new about the events of twenty-three years ago, The Saipan movie will be surprisingly good.
James:
- Adam Idah will be out of Celtic by next summer; Johnny Kenny to have a better season
- Louie Barry will be called up in September after declaring for us
- We will do better away to Hungary then away to Armenia
Wildcards
Dylan:
- Ireland will concede less than two outside the box shots in qualifying.
- Stephen Kenny leaves St. Pat’s at the end of the League of Ireland season and eventually joins Andrews at Brentford.
- Evan Ferguson becomes a fan favorite at Roma, and tells La Gazzetta dello Sport that the local Italian cuisine is the key to his rejuvenation
James:
- Sligo Rovers will win the FAI Cup
- Mason Melia’s transfer record will be shattered twice come January
- Matt Doherty will refuse to retire from international football and continue playing for the next decade
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