Czech Republic vs Ireland: prediction & betting odds 26 March 2026

Czech Republic National Team Form

The team will take part in the play-offs thanks to finishing second in their group. Czech Republic only claimed that spot in the final round, edging out Faroe Islands but finishing behind group winners Croatia. The national side recorded five wins, one draw and two defeats from eight matches. It is also worth noting that Czech Republic scored 2.25 goals per game on average, although 10 of their 18 goals came against Gibraltar. Interestingly, the team have only appeared at the World Cup once before, in 2006, when they reached the finals after coming through the play-offs. However, they failed to make it through the play-offs in 2022, with Sweden standing in their way.

• Czech Republic avoided defeat in 10 of their previous 12 World Cup qualifiers (seven wins and three draws).
• At least one of the teams failed to score in five of the national side's last seven matches in this qualification campaign.
• Two or more goals were scored in seven of the previous eight matches in World Cup qualification.

Potential Czech Republic Lineup (4-4-2)

Matej Kovar - Vladimir Coufal, Martin Vitik, Ladislav Krejci, David Jurasek - Tomas Soucek, Michal Sadilek - Lukas Provod, Pavel Sulc, Lukas Cerv - Patrik Schick.

Unavailable for various reasons: midfielders Vaclav Cerny, Vladimir Darida and Alex Kral, and forwards Matej Vydra and Jan Kuchta.

Republic of Ireland National Team Form

The team also reached the play-offs by finishing second in their group. From six matches, they recorded three wins, one draw and two defeats. They only managed to finish second in the final round, beating Hungary, who ended up third. Republic of Ireland have featured at the World Cup only three times, most recently in 2002. In the 21st century, Ireland have taken part in play-offs twice, but lost on both occasions.

• The national side avoided defeat in 12 of their last 14 World Cup qualifiers (five wins and four draws).
• Two or more goals were scored in nine of Ireland's previous 12 matches in this tournament.
• Ireland scored in six of their last seven World Cup qualifiers.

Potential Republic of Ireland Lineup (4-4-2)

Caoimhin Kelleher - Seamus Coleman, Nathan Collins, Dara O'Shea, Ryan Manning - Chiedozie Ogbene, Jayson Molumby, Jayson Knight, Sammy Szmodics - Adam Idah, Troy Parrott.

Referee

Glenn Nyberg (Sweden)

Matches - 7 (international fixtures, 2025/26);

Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) - 24;

Average yellow cards per match - 3.4;

Red cards shown - 1;

Average fouls per match - 24;

Penalties - 29%.