Portugal head into Thursday’s World Cup qualifier against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium knowing a victory will secure direct passage to the 2026 finals in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Roberto Martinez’s side top Group F with a perfect record of three wins and one draw, holding a commanding five-point cushion over second-placed Hungary.
A win would push Portugal to 13 points with one game remaining, rendering them uncatchable regardless of other results.
Even two draws, against Ireland and final opponents Armenia, would see them finish on 12 points, still atop the standings.
Ireland sit third, one point behind Hungary but with two matches left. A shock victory over the FIFA world-ranked fifth team would keep their slim hopes alive, though they last reached the World Cup in 2006.
Victory in both remaining games, combined with Portuguese defeats, could level the sides on 10 points, with goal difference deciding the group winner.
Should Portugal lose both fixtures and Hungary win theirs (against Armenia and Ireland), the Hungarians would leapfrog to 11 points and claim top spot.
In the European qualification, all 12 group winners advance directly, while runners-up enter the March playoffs for the final spots.
Historically, the nations have met 18 times, with Portugal triumphant in 10 encounters and Ireland in four. Martinez’s unbeaten squad, featuring stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, remains heavy favorites to extend their streak of seven consecutive World Cup appearances.
Portugal have suffered two injury blows ahead of Thursday’s World Cup qualifier against Ireland. Chelsea winger Pedro Neto has withdrawn from Roberto Martínez’s squad after sustaining a groin injury during his club’s 3-0 Premier League win over Wolves on Saturday. AC Milan’s Rafael Leão is expected to replace him.
Sporting Lisbon midfielder Pedro Gonçalves has also been ruled out for a month following an undisclosed injury sustained in his side’s weekend victory over Santa Clara.
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