
Ireland to face Belgium in October play-off with promotion to Nations League A on offer
Ireland have been drawn to play Belgium in the two-legged October play-off to decide whether they can return to the elite tier of the Nations League.

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Irish Independent
34 minutes ago
- Irish Independent
Cristiano Ronaldo will not play at Club World Cup as a decision on his future is ‘almost final'
The 40-year-old's contract with Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr, who have not qualified for the tournament in the United States, expires at the end of June. Earlier this year, FIFA president Gianni Infantino raised the prospect of Portugal captain Ronaldo joining one of the sides involved in the competition, which starts next Saturday. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content But speaking ahead of his country's Nations League final against Spain on Sunday evening in Munich, the forward said: 'I will not be at the Club World Cup. 'Some teams reached out to me. Some made sense and others did not, but you can't try and do everything. You can't catch every ball.' Ronaldo's club future remains unclear. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. He posted 'this chapter is over' on social media following Al-Nassr's final league game of the season in May. However, according to reports, he could agree a new deal to remain with the club he joined from Manchester United in 2023. Five-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo revealed a decision on his future was 'almost final'.


The Irish Sun
44 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Eamon Dunphy changes tune on Hallgrimsson as he backs Ireland for World Cup play-off ‘if not more' after Senegal draw
EAMON DUNPHY seems to have changed his tune on Heimir Hallgrimsson following Ireland's draw with Senegal. The Aviva Stadium. 2 Ireland drew 1-1 with Senegal Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile 2 Eamon Dunphy praised Hallgrimsson Credit: Barry Cregg / SPORTSFILE They had taken the lead through Kasey McAteer before Ismaila Sarr's late equaliser. It could have been more, with Eamon Dunphy has been a vocal critic of Hallgrimsson, But after Friday's draw, he praised the Icelander for making Ireland hard to beat against a side ranked 19th in the world. Read More on Ireland MNT "They were easy on the eye, too, and easy to like, producing a display that reminded you of everything we like to pride ourselves on as a football nation." Dunphy singled out midfield pair Will Smallbone and Jason Knight for praise, in particular. star Smallbone was tidy on the ball while Bristol City's Knight demonstrated energy and tenacity off of it. Most read in Football Dunphy believes Ireland may have found their ideal partnership which he claimed has filled a void that needed filling. He said: "All this was needed because for the last little while it has become clear that we have an outstanding goalkeeper in Caoimhin Kelleher, several top class defenders, and three outstanding forwards. Heimir Hallgrimsson gives first call-up to four Ireland players in squad for friendlies vs Senegal and Luxembourg "But another uncomfortable truth was that we struggled in midfield. "Not last night because a change in personnel resulted in a change in attitude and a change in performance." Ireland will face Luxembourg in another friendly next Tuesday which will serve as a warm-up before the The Boys in Green host That will be followed by games home and away against Results elsewhere on Friday night gave Dunphy promise for the qualifiers , with Hungary and Armenia losing to But Dunphy remains bullish, declaring that Ireland can bag a play-off for a place at the 2026 World Cup - at minimum. He added: "I'm not shaking with fear at the idea of facing any of those sides. "There is reason to believe and that faith stems from the gradual progress this team has made and most of all from the growth of our two midfielders, Smallbone and Knight, who know how to press, how to win the ball, how to deny the other team space . So it is not unrealistic to say a World Cup play off is now attainable - if not more.


Irish Examiner
an hour ago
- Irish Examiner
Cristiano Ronaldo ‘will not be at the Club World Cup' with future still unclear
Cristiano Ronaldo has said he will not play at the upcoming Club World Cup after turning down offers from participating teams. The 40-year-old's contract with Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr, who have not qualified for the tournament in the United States, expires at the end of June. Earlier this year, FIFA president Gianni Infantino raised the prospect of Portugal captain Ronaldo joining one of the sides involved in the competition, which starts next Saturday. This chapter is over. The story? Still being written. Grateful to all. — Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) May 26, 2025 But speaking ahead of his country's Nations League final against Spain on Sunday evening in Munich, the forward said: 'I will not be at the Club World Cup. 'Some teams reached out to me. Some made sense and others did not, but you can't try and do everything. You can't catch every ball.' Ronaldo's club future remains unclear. Cristiano Ronaldo's 137th international goal 🇵🇹©️#NationsLeague — UEFA EURO (@UEFAEURO) June 6, 2025 He posted 'this chapter is over' on social media following Al-Nassr's final league game of the season in May. However, according to reports, he could agree a new deal to remain with the club he joined from Manchester United in 2023. Five-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo revealed a decision on his future was 'almost final'.