Republic of Ireland name 26-man squad as Nations League campaign begins
September 21, 2026 13:51
The Republic of Ireland begin a compact Nations League programme this month with a four-game window in 12 days, starting with Thursday’s opener against Kosovo in Pristina. It will be Ireland’s first competitive match since the penalty shootout defeat to the Czech Republic in March that ended their bid to reach the World Cup.
SQUAD AND ABSENCES
Manager Heimir Hallgrimsson has named a 26-man squad to cope with the condensed schedule. Captain Nathan Collins is absent with a calf injury. Jack Taylor and Mikey Johnston are included, while Evan Ferguson and Josh Cullen remain long-term absentees. Oisin McEntee missed out through injury.
Hallgrimsson confirmed several players in the squad are managing knocks or returning to fitness, including Jimmy Dunne, Bosun Lawal and Owen Elding. Harvey Vale and Jamie McGrath were injured in the warm-up before their clubs’ recent matches and did not play. Seamus Coleman and Robbie Brady were not considered for selection as they are currently without clubs.
First call-ups have gone to Sheffield United loanee Liam Kitching, while Cardiff City defender Joel Bagan and Hibernian’s Owen Elding are in contention to win their first caps. Hallgrimsson is expected to use a large portion of the squad across the four games to build depth, notably at full-back and in midfield.
FORM AND KEY PLAYERS
Troy Parrott arrives in form after an impressive start at Real Betis, scoring a late winner against Real Madrid, netting on his Champions League debut against Lille and providing an assist versus Getafe. Parrott has established himself as Ireland’s first-choice striker.
Hull’s John Egan and Swansea’s Adam Idah are also noted as carrying good club form into the international break; Egan has been a regular for Hull while Idah has three goals and an assist in eight Championship appearances.
OTHER CONTEXT
The group includes Kosovo, Israel (twice) and Austria. UEFA has rejected a request from the FAI to keep Republic of Ireland and Israel separate for these fixtures.
WHY IT MATTERS
Republic of Ireland’s performance in this Nations League group will affect their standing within the Nations League structure and has implications for Euro 2028 qualifying: finishing top of the group would earn promotion to League A.