2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Armenia vs Ireland

Armenia host Republic of Ireland in a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier in UEFA Group F.

Victory would lift Armenia up to second in the group, whilst Ireland can go top with a win before Hungary host Portugal in the late kick-off in Budapest.

 

Team News

Armenia have no fresh injury concerns to report following their 5-0 home loss to Portugal.

Ireland will be without midfielder, Sammie Szmodics due to an unspecified injury suffered in their 2-2 draw at home to Hungary, and he has been replaced by Josh Honohan.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Armenia host Ireland at Vazgen Sargsyan Republican, Yerevan, on Tuesday 9 September at 6pm CEST (5pm BST), live on Amazon Prime in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• This is Armenia’s first FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Ireland.
• Ireland have won one of two previous visits to Armenia in all competitions (W1, L1), with both matches having been settled by 1-0 results.
• Armenia have won just one of their four previous meetings against Ireland in all competitions (W1, L3).
• Armenia have lost their two home games in 2025 across all competitions by an aggregate 8-0 result (L2), as they lost 3-0 to Georgia in March then 5-0 to Portugal last weekend.
• Evan Ferguson and Adam Idah have scored twice in two of Ireland’s last four matches.

 

Prediction

After a brutal defeat against Portugal, it is hard to predict what sort of Armenia team to expect because whilst they should naturally be fired up to deliver a winning reaction, they will at least want to produce a more solid defensive effort at minimum and end their four-match run at home without a goal.

Ireland meanwhile showed grit and determination to fight back from a soft defensive first half to snatch a draw against Hungary with an intense second-half press, but they can’t afford another sloppy start because they ideally need to beat Armenia to have any notable hope of qualification.

Nevertheless this clash feels like a mega six-pointer already for both teams but if Ireland tighten up at the back and can be more consistent in their attack, I can see them having the edge.

Prediction: Armenia 0-1 ROI

Result: Armenia 2-1 ROI