Ireland vs Hungary: prediction & betting odds 6 September 2025

The Matchday 5 fixture of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers between Ireland and Hungary will take place on September 6 at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Ireland vs. Hungary: prediction and betting odds, statistics.

Ireland

The team approaches this match with a five-game unbeaten streak in this tournament (2 wins and 3 draws). This successful run occurred in the last World Cup qualifiers, where the Irish finished third in their group, trailing behind Portugal and Serbia (only 9 points in 8 matches). Heimir Hallgrímsson's side, like the entire Group F, is just starting the current World Cup 2026 qualification, and this year they secured promotion to League B in the Nations League (defeating Bulgaria twice in playoff matches) and played two friendlies (2 draws).

• Ireland has won only 2 of their last 10 World Cup qualifying matches (4 draws and 4 losses).
• The team has not conceded more than 1 goal in their last five matches in this tournament.
• Ireland is on a five-game winless streak at home in World Cup qualification (3 draws and 2 losses).

Predicted lineup for Ireland (4-4-2)

Caoimhín Kelleher – Nathan Collins, Jake O'Brien, Matt Doherty, Ryan Manning – Finn Azaz, Michael Johnston, Jason Knight, Josh Cullen – Evan Ferguson, Chiedozie Ogbene.

Hungary

The team failed the last World Cup qualifiers, finishing only 4th. In 10 matches, Hungary secured 5 wins and 2 draws, but suffered 3 losses. England, Poland, and Albania finished ahead of them. It's worth noting that in the group stage of the last World Cup qualification, Hungary averaged 1.9 goals per game, although mostly against San Marino and Andorra. This year, the team lost two Nations League playoff matches to Turkey and was relegated to League B, while also playing two friendlies (1 win and 1 loss).

• At least 3 goals have been scored in 7 of Hungary's last 10 World Cup qualifying matches.
• The team has not lost in 4 of their last 5 away games in this tournament (3 wins and 1 draw).
• Hungary has not lost in the first half in their last 11 World Cup qualifying matches (6 wins and 4 draws).

Predicted lineup for Hungary (3-4-2-1)

Dénes Dibusz – Willi Orbán, Loïc Négo, Márton Dárdai – Milos Kerkez, Márton Dárdai, Áron Csongvai, Bendegúz Bolla – Dominik Szoboszlai, Alex Tóth – Barnabás Varga.

Referee:

Harm Osmers (Germany)

Matches – 8 (International matches, 2024/25–2025/26);

Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 40;

Average yellow cards per match – 5;

Red cards shown – 1;

Average fouls per match – 22;

Penalties – 38%.

Ireland vs. Hungary: Match Prediction

In Group F, Portugal are the clear favorites. It will be incredibly difficult to take the top spot from them, but the remaining three teams can all compete for second place. Therefore, in a matchup between such opponents, it is crucial to perform well at home. However, Ireland has not impressed on the international stage for some time and even at home, they have shown weak results – in their last 9 home World Cup qualifying matches, they have only beaten Moldova (5 draws and 3 losses).

Hungary is currently experiencing their best years. The team has consistently played in the final stages of the European Championship, but has not yet managed to qualify for the World Cup. To finally reach the main stage of the World Cup, they need to win not only at home but also away. Notably, in their last five away matches in this tournament, Hungary has suffered only 1 loss (3 wins and 1 draw). They managed to draw with England and in their last away match, they defeated Poland.

My prediction – Hungary with a handicap (0)