Onto the next one.
Ireland’s 2026 World Cup campaign may be over, but it won’t be long before supporters are dreaming of another major tournament appearance. The good news is that Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side will have a massively increased chance of playing at the next Euros.
With Ireland one of the co-hosts for Euro 2028, it would take an incredibly poor turn of luck for them to miss out on the tournament. They will enter the qualification process as normal, although two spots will be reserved for any of the hosts that fail to qualify via that method.
In other words, if two of England, Scotland, and Wales qualify, we are guaranteed to be at the tournament regardless of our performing in qualifying.
Ireland would play all three of their group games at the Aviva Stadium in such a scenario. With just over two years until Euro 2028 kicks off, here is the team we are predicting to take to the pitch for the opening fixture.
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Predicting The Ireland Team At Euro 2028
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Ireland currently employ five at the back, but it’s clear that Heimir Hallgrimsson does not always favour that system. He used a four-man defence for the vast majority of his tenure, only to switch it up midway through the World Cup qualifying campaign.
We are predicting that he will make a move towards a back four later this year.
GK: Caoimhín Kelleher
Age at Euro 2028: 29
Now the nailed on no.1, Caoimhín Kelleher is unlikely to be ousted from the Ireland team anytime soon.
The Cork man is perhaps our most consistent performer and is only likely to bring his games to new levels as he gets more experience at club level.
RB: Jake O’Brien
Age at Euro 2028: 27
As much as Heimir Hallgrimsson wants Seamus Coleman to continue his international career, it seems highly unlikely that he will still be starting for Ireland in over two years time.
Jake O’Brien has excelled for Everton at right back and is an ideal fit under the current manager if he does move to a back four.
CB: Nathan Collins (c)
Age at Euro 2028: 27
Still just 24-years old and already the team captain, Nathan Collins will still be wearing the armband by the time Euro 2028 rolls around.
The Brentford man has had some ups and downs in recent seasons. However, he should be hitting his peak over the next couple of years.
CB: Dara O’Shea
Age at Euro 2028: 29
There is quite a bit of competition for this position, with the likes of Andrew Omobamidele, Jimmy Dunne, James Abankwah, and Anselmo Garcia MacNulty likely to be in the running.
It is difficult to look beyond O’Shea. He has been steady as a rock for Ireland over the last few seasons and will still be under the age of 30 by the time the tournament comes around.
LB: Liam Scales
Age at Euro 2028: 29
Robbie Brady will be 36 by the time Euro 2028 rolls around, and while Ryan Manning will be in the running, we’re leaning towards Liam Scales at left back.
Like O’Brien on the opposite side, the Celtic man would provide some extra defensive stability in a back four. This defensive quartet would also be formidable from set-pieces at both ends of the pitch, an area of the game Hallgrimsson puts a huge emphasis on.
CM: Bosun Lawal
Age at Euro 2028: 25
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Having made his international debut this week, we are expecting Bosun Lawal to become an Ireland regular over the next couple of seasons.
The Stoke City man is the type of player the team has been calling out for. He is a physically imposing central midfielder, one that is capable of putting in a massive defensive shift while also being comfortable in possession.
If he stays injury free, he’s a nailed on starter.
CM: Josh Cullen
Age at Euro 2028: 32
The oldest player in this team, you would expect that Josh Cullen will still have plenty left in the legs by the time Euro 2028 rolls around.
While he has underperformed at international level on occasion, the game against Czechia was a timely reminder of the qualities he brings to the team.
RW: Chiedozie Ogbene
Age at Euro 2028: 31
Chiedozie Ogbene is one of the few players in the Ireland squad with genuine pace. It will be hoped that this trait does not deteriorate over the next couple of years.
He will need to sort out his club future this summer, but the Cork man remains an important player moving forward.
CAM: Finn Azaz
Age at Euro 2028: 27
An increasingly important player under Hallgrimsson, Finn Azaz may find himself in his more natural position over the coming months.
Having operated largely off the left in recent times, a switch to the more central role that he has thrived in at club level would make sense for everyone involved.
LW: Rocco Vata
Age at Euro 2028: 23
This is a position that seems very much up for grabs. Mikey Johnston, Kasey McAteer, Harvey Vale, Ryan Manning, and Jaden Umeh are just some of the names who could be in the running.
We’re siding with Rocco Vata for now. The Watford man has had a difficult time with injuries recently, but he has massive potential. He is capable of playing across the front line and offers the type of creativity that has so often been lacking in the Ireland team in recent years.
Still just 20-years old, he should improve quite a bit over the next couple of seasons.
ST: Troy Parrott
Age at Euro 2028: 26
Who else?
Having really discovered his feet at international level in recent months, Troy Parrott will be the main man in this team moving forward. It just remains to be seen who will play alongside him in those other forward positions.
Honourable Mentions
Evan Ferguson is the most obvious absentee in this side, but it remains to be seen how he will be affected by his persistent injury issues over the coming seasons. You would hope that he can rediscover the form he showed earlier in his career, allowing him and Parrott to play up front together.
Among the current squad, the likes of Festy Ebosele, Ryan Manning, Andrew Omobamidele, James Abankwah, Jayson Molumby, and Jason Knight will very much be in the mix.
As for current underage internationals, you could consider the likes of Jaden Umeh, Mason Melia, Michael Noonan, and Alex Murphy.
The Team in Full
This is a well balanced team, one that will possess plenty of experience by the time Euro 2028 comes around. In saying that, only two members of the XI will have reached their 30th birthdays.
Now, they just need to actually make the tournament.
