The road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues on Thursday as the play-offs for a spot in this summer’s tournament commence. The winner of Czechia vs. Ireland will take on the winner of Denmark vs. North Macedonia for a place in the World Cup.
It’s essentially a four-team bracket for one spot in the tournament. The winner of this bracket will enter Group A of the World Cup alongside Mexico, South Africa and South Korea.
Czechia are -105 favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook for this one, with a draw available at +245. Fancy an Ireland upset? They are +285 on the moneyline.
Czechia are -205 to advance, while the Irish are listed at +155.
Czechia vs. Ireland Prediction, Pick
In the FIFA World Rankings, Czechia are ranked #43 while Ireland sit at #59.
It took a miracle for Ireland to advance into the playoff, as a Troy Parrott goal in the 96th minute against Hungary kept their World Cup hopes alive to finish second in their qualifying group. They won their last three games in the group to advance to this point. Now they go on the road to face Czechia in what should be a fairly even contest.
Czechia finished second in arguably the weakest group in UEFA qualifying. Croatia topped Group L, with Czechia coming in behind them, followed by the Faroe Islands, Montenegro and Gibraltar. It’s a surprise that Czechia only won five of their eight games, losing two and drawing one. They failed to beat group winners Croatia on both occasions and lost to them 5-1 in the away game.
Ireland had a much tougher path to this point. Their group was topped by Portugal, followed by them, Hungary, and then Armenia. The Irish beat Armenia, Portugal and Hungary in their last three matches to qualify for the play-off. In the four games against Portugal and Hungary, they only lost one of those and it was a 91st-minute winner from Rúben Neves in Lisbon.
The Irish have had a much tougher road to this point, and I think they are battle tested enough to get to the next stage of this World Cup play-off. It won’t be easy on the road, but I think they will continue their good form into this game and advance to the play-off final.
