Six Cork players included in Ireland squad for key World Cup play-off in Czechia

Republic of Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson has named a 25-man squad for next Thursday’s World Cup play-off away to Czechia.

There are six Cork players included: Caoimhín Kelleher, Jake O'Brien, John Egan, Alan Browne, Adam Idah and Chiedozie Ogbene. 

There are maiden call-ups for Luton Town keeper Josh Keeley and QPR midfielder Harvey Vale, while Browne, who has been on form with Middlesbrough, Robbie Brady and Sammie Szmodics return, as does the uncapped James Abankwah.

22-year-old Vale captained the England U19s when they won the Euros in 2022. FIFA announced that former Chelsea midfielder Vale had switched allegiances over the weekend.

On Vale, Hallgrimsson said: "Good player, good person, hardworking guy. A creator of chances, scoring goals, so I'm looking forward to working with Harvey."

The injured Josh Cullen, Festy Ebosele - suspended for the Czechia game - and Conor Coventry are the ones to drop out from the November camp.

While there is no room for an international return for David McGoldrick, Adam Idah is fit to take his place among the forward options.

Ireland are guaranteed two matches in the window but the second on March 31 will only be relevant if they beat Czechia to set up a decider against Denmark or North Macedonia for a place at the summer World Cup.

Czechia’s wait to end their World Cup famine is 20 years, four years less than Ireland’s.

At the press conference for the squad announcement, Hallgrimsson confirmed his contract has been extended to include the Euro 2028 campaign.

Under Hallgrimsson's stewardship, Ireland secured five competitive wins in 2025 - the first time this has been achieved since 2011 and 2001 before that.

Speaking on his new contract, Hallgrimsson said: "I am incredibly proud and delighted to commit my future to the Republic of Ireland. 

I have always said that we are on a journey together — the players, the staff, and our incredible supporters.

"I can see the real progress we are making and the huge potential in this group, so it was an easy decision for me to make.

"Signing this now, before the play-offs, is a statement of our shared belief and allows us to focus 100 percent on the massive task ahead of us in March without any distractions.

"I really believe that we are on a continuous journey in the right direction and I'd like to thank the Association for showing their belief in me to take the team forward."

Republic of Ireland squad for Czechia & Denmark/North Macedonia:

Goalkeepers: Caoimhín Kelleher (Brentford), Mark Travers (Everton), Josh Keeley (Luton Town).

Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Jimmy Dunne (QPR), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Dara O'Shea (Ipswich Town), Jake O'Brien (Everton), John Egan (Hull City), James Abankwah (Watford), Liam Scales (Celtic)*, Robbie Brady (Preston North End), Ryan Manning (Southampton).

Midfielders: Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Bosun Lawal (Stoke City), Jack Taylor (Ipswich Town), Alan Browne (Middlesbrough), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Finn Azaz (Southampton), Harvey Vale (QPR).

Attackers: Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar), Adam Idah (Swansea City), Johnny Kenny (Bolton Wanderers, on loan from Celtic), Chiedozie Ogbene (Sheffield United, on loan from Ipswich Town), Sammie Szmodics (Derby County, on loan from Ipswich Town)