Heimir Hallgrímsson is planning to hold a training camp without any Premier League players in mid-May should the Republic of Ireland qualify for the World Cup this summer. Thirteen of the 25-man squad named for last November’s qualifiers against Portugal and Hungary were players from Championship clubs in the English second tier. Ideally, the FAI will secure two friendlies against teams that have also qualified for the World Cup during a 10-day camp that will not include players from Premier League clubs. Hallgrímsson is keen to name an expanded panel in May where players have an opportunity to force their way into a potential 23-man World Cup squad before Fifa’s May 30th deadline. Ireland’s training camp and hotel in the US have been provisionally reserved in Fort Worth, Texas.

Source: The Irish Times March 12, 2026 05:53 UTC