Republic of Ireland aims to improve before World Cup

The Republic of Ireland's national football team is gearing up for a crucial year as they prepare for the World Cup qualifying campaign, which runs from September to November 2025. The team has just six months to build a competitive squad to challenge in their group, alongside Hungary, Armenia, and either Portugal or Denmark. Ireland's recent results have not been encouraging. Last year, they won only two of six matches, which included disappointing performances against England. The team finished third in their group and now faces the challenge of maintaining their status in the UEFA Nations League. A significant point of focus for the team's management is the heavy defeat against England, where they lost 5-0. Head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson expressed frustration over the team's inability to maintain confidence after a good first half. This loss has raised concerns about the team's mentality going forward. In the lead-up to their next match against Bulgaria, assistant coach John O'Shea emphasized the importance of addressing the defeat, while also avoiding dwelling on it. He indicated a need to focus on learning from past mistakes as they prepare for their next challenge. With some key players missing due to injuries, Hallgrimsson is looking to use this opportunity to test new options. However, managing a team with many changes is always challenging. The coach will be evaluating players' performances closely, as he aims to strengthen the team's overall strategy and mentality ahead of the World Cup qualifiers.