Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson with his assistant John O'Shea after winning the Nations League play-off against Bulgaria last year. Photo: Stephen McCarthy/SportsfileIn a world where Troy Parrott does not make a perfectly-timed run into a Budapest penalty area, this evening’s gathering in Brussels would be laying out the roadmap for the Irish international year. The Nations League draw is important business for those teams without an interest in the World Cup, because it lets them know the opponents for their next competitive fixture.

Source: Irish Independent February 12, 2026 14:31 UTC