Republic of Ireland Assistant Head Coach John O'Shea believes the players will be buzzing to get started in the FIFA World Cup 26 qualifying campaign following the draw last week. 

Ireland have been drawn against Portugal or Denmark, Hungary and Armenia in FIFA World Cup 26 qualifying Group F as Ireland look to progress to the finals tournament in 2026 in USA, Mexico and Canada. 

O'Shea featured in a number of qualification campaigns for Ireland as a player across his lengthy international career and he believes all of the players will be itching to get started in September 2025, after the Bulgaria play-off matches in March.

"To have World Cup qualifiers next year, it gets the juices going as a player," said John O'Shea. 

"But also for staff and fans in particular too so you’re building all that package in together and hopefully there’ll be a lot of excitement to come too.

“We know Bulgaria isn’t going to be easy. We know we’re playing a team from the group below - so to speak. You’re thinking ‘ok, we should be favourites’ and rightly so but ultimately it’s a really close game. We know it will be a good test, but ultimately we’ll be well prepared and I’m sure we’ll have a very competitive squad to pick from as well.”

2024 has seen a number of young players progress in the MNT squad and seen the likes of Festy Ebosele, Finn Azaz, Mark McGuinness and Andy Moran come to the fore ahead of 2025. O'Shea believes it's a real positive that so many players in the talent pool are now in contention for a space in the squad. 

"I think that’s massive, that’s a massive aspect we’ve really tried to get over to the players. In the time I was having to pick a squad or two, you’re seeing the emergence of more players," said O'Shea.

“Players who are playing at their clubs and really standing out, it’s so competitive getting into the squad and that’s only going to get better going forward because of the level of players now. The lads who haven’t played the last five or six months are going to be knocking the door to go out and get playing time whether it’s at their own clubs or different clubs because they know with there are younger players coming in behind them. 

"Again there’s going to be big pressure to stay in the squad and ultimately that leads to a healthy competition that’s what we need and hopefully that’s what we need going forward."

Heimir Hallgrímsson was appointed Head Coach back in July and immediately secured O'Shea as Assistant Head Coach to be a key part of the coaching staff alongside Paddy McCarthy and Gudmundur Hreidarsson, and O'Shea has praised the relationship and set up.

"(Heimir) He’s a really good man, a really good football man. You can tell the experience he’s had coaching his national team with Iceland and being with Jamaica and the experience he’s had qualifying for major tournaments," said O'Shea. 

"He’s brilliant to learn from, a top class fella, and Gudmundur (Hreidarsson) the goalkeeping coach too and having Paddy (McCarthy) involved is brilliant. You’re getting that combination and hopefully that relationship will keep growing and growing."

Season Tickets for an incredible 2025 campaign is available to purchase now. Be at the Aviva Stadium for the UEFA Nations League play-off in March, the friendly in June and the FIFA World Cup qualifying fixtures and watch every minute of action with the 2025 Season Ticket. Get yours now here.