The Republic of Ireland national football team will be determined to grab their first win of the World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign when they face Armenia in Yerevan. Armenia vs Republic of Ireland World Cup Qualifier 2025 – live. Both sides enter the clash with very different forms, but the stakes are high—especially for Ireland, who must keep pace in a group that also features European giants Portugal and Hungary.
Match Importance
- Date: 9 September 2025
- Venue: Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium, Yerevan, Armenia
- Competition: FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers – UEFA Group F
Portugal are expected to dominate this group, which means Ireland and Hungary will likely battle for the second-place playoff spot. For Armenia, this match is about pride and bouncing back from a heavy defeat.
Republic of Ireland – Recent Form
Ireland began their campaign with a 2–2 draw against Hungary, a result that showed both flaws and fighting spirit. After going 2–0 down, they clawed back with resilience, with Adam Idah playing a key role in the comeback.
- Ireland had 23 shots in that game, showing attacking intent.
- Manager Heimir Hallgrímsson praised his squad’s determination but also warned against slow starts, something that has hurt them in the past.
- Midfielders Josh Cullen and Jason Knight were central in keeping possession, while Caoimhín Kelleher in goal produced a standout performance.
Ireland’s main challenge has been consistency. They often raise their game against stronger sides but sometimes struggle against teams ranked lower than them. This match is a test of focus as much as ability.
Armenia – Recent Form
Armenia suffered a 5–0 defeat against Portugal in their opening qualifier, exposing defensive weaknesses. Their recent record is concerning:
- Five straight losses in 2025.
- Just one victory in the past year.
- 19 goals conceded in their last five matches.
Still, they are not a team to underestimate. At home, Armenia can be dangerous, especially with Eduard Spertsyan, their midfield star who has already scored 9 goals in 35 appearances for his country. Alongside him, Tigran Barseghyan remains a threat in attack.
Head-to-Head Record
- Total Meetings: 4
- Republic of Ireland Wins: 3
- Armenia Wins: 1
- Goal Difference: Ireland 6 – 4 Armenia
Interestingly, every single match between these sides has been settled by a single-goal margin, proving how competitive their encounters usually are.
Key Players to Watch
- Republic of Ireland:
- Evan Ferguson – The Brighton striker is Ireland’s brightest young talent.
- Adam Idah – Super-sub last time, pushing for a start.
- Nathan Collins – Defensive rock, key to stopping Armenia’s counters.
- Armenia:
- Eduard Spertsyan – Creative playmaker, Armenia’s main hope.
- Tigran Barseghyan – Brings pace and energy in attack.
- Armenian Goalkeeper – Will need to be at his best to handle Ireland’s set-piece threat.
Expected Lineups
Republic of Ireland (4-3-3):
Kelleher; O’Brien, O’Shea, Collins, Manning; Cullen, Knight, Szmodics; Azaz, Ferguson, Idah.
Armenia (4-2-3-1):
Yurchenko; Hambardzumyan, Haroyan, Calisir, Hovhannisyan; Grigoryan, Bayramyan; Spertsyan, Barseghyan, Zelarayan; Udo.
Predictions & Analysis
Most experts back Ireland to win this tie. Their higher FIFA ranking (around 60th compared to Armenia’s ~105th) reflects the quality gap.
- Likely scoreline: Ireland 1–0 or 2–1.
- Ireland’s attacking play gives them the edge, but Armenia’s home crowd could keep it tight.
- The battle will come down to whether Ireland can break Armenia’s defensive setup without leaving themselves open to counter-attacks.
✅ FAQs (for SEO & user engagement)
Q1. When is the Armenia vs Republic of Ireland match?
👉 The match will be played on 9 September 2025 at the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium, Yerevan.
Q2. What are the FIFA rankings of Armenia and Ireland?
👉 Republic of Ireland are ranked around 60th, while Armenia are placed near 105th in the FIFA rankings.
Q3. What is the head-to-head record between Armenia and Republic of Ireland?
👉 They have faced each other 4 times. Ireland won 3 matches, Armenia won 1, and all were decided by just a single goal.
Q4. Who are the key players to watch in this match?
👉 For Ireland, Evan Ferguson, Adam Idah, and Nathan Collins are key. For Armenia, Eduard Spertsyan and Tigran Barseghyan are the main threats.
Q5. What is the prediction for Armenia vs Republic of Ireland?
👉 Most experts expect Ireland to win narrowly, with a likely scoreline of 1–0 or 2–1.
Final Thoughts
The Armenia vs Republic of Ireland clash may not look glamorous on paper, but it is hugely significant for Ireland’s qualification hopes. Anything less than three points will put them under serious pressure in Group F. Armenia, meanwhile, will be desperate to give their fans something to cheer about after a poor run of form.
Expect a physical, competitive game with Ireland’s superior squad depth likely tipping the balance in their favor.
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