Republic of Ireland vs Portugal: Lineups, team news, confirmed starting teams in 2026 World Cup qualifying

Cristiano Ronaldo is likely to seal a place at his final World Cup tournament if Portugal win in Dublin on Thursday.

The 40-year-old Selecao captain confirmed this week that the 2026 finals in the US, Canada and Mexico will be his last international tournament.

With Hungary winning in Armenia in an earlier match, Portugal are likely to start two points head of Marco Rossi’s side with a game in hand, while Ireland require a pint to be guaranteed a play-off spot.

101GreatGoals.com has the full team news from the Republic of Ireland vs Portugal in 2026 World Cup qualifying.

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Republic of Ireland starting lineup vs Portugal

Burnley captain Josh Cullen missed Ireland’s 1-0 home win over Armenia on October 14 through suspension but the midfielder returns this time.

Jayson Molumby is banned and Mark Sykes, Jason Knight, Will Smallbone, Evan Ferguson and Robbie Brady are injured.

Goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher saved a Ronaldo penalty when Ireland lost 1-0 in Portugal on October 11.

Republic of Ireland starting XI: Caoimhin Kelleher, Seamus Coleman, Nathan Collins, Dara O’Shea, Jake O’Brien, Liam Scales, Finn Azaz, Jack Taylor, Josh Cullen, Chiedozie Ogbene, Troy Parrott

Ireland substitutes: Gavin Bazunu, Johnny Kenny, Adam Idah, Jimmy Dunne, Kevin O’Toole, Andrew Moran, John Egan, Conor Coventry, Jamie McGrath, Mikey Johnston, Festy Ebosele, Mark Travers

Portugal starting lineup vs Ireland

Chelsea’s Pedro Neto and Sporting Lisbon’s Pedro Goncalves have withdrawn from the Portugal squad but Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Joao Neves returns from injury.

Portugal starting XI: Diogo Costa, Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias, Goncalo Inacio, Diogo Dalot, Joao Neves, Vitinha, Ruben Neves, Bernardo Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo, Joao Felix

Portugal substitutes: Rui Silva, Nelson Semedo, Antonio Silva, Joao Palhinha, Carlos Forbs, Goncalo Ramos, Joao Carvalho, Renato Veiga, Trincao, Rafael Leao, Matheus Nunes, Francisco Conceicao

How to watch Republic of Ireland v Portugal: TV and online streams

Ireland vs Portugal kicks off on Thursday at 19:45 GMT (14:45 ET / 11:45 PT) and can be watched on Premier Sports 1 and streamed on the Premier Sports Player app.

A Premier Sports subscription costs £120 a year, £11.99 per month on a 12-month contract or £16.99 per month with 30 days’ cancellation notice required.

Ireland vs Portugal stats

• Ronaldo’s brace against Hungary in October saw him become the all-time top goalscorer in World Cup qualifying (41) and extend his record international goal tally to 143 in 235 appearances
• Portugal have qualified for the past six World Cup tournaments
• Portugal have won four and drawn one of their last five meetings with the Republic of Ireland
• The Republic of Ireland have not qualified for the World Cup finals since 2006

Portugal World Cup 2026 qualifying path

The top team from each of the 12 European Qualifier groups proceeds automatically to the finals, which will be expanded to 48 teams.

The 12 runners-up in each group will join four Nations League teams in the play-offs, which will be drawn from pots based on teams’ records during the campaign. The games will comprise single-leg semi-finals and finals.

The draw for the World Cup finals will take place in December 2025. The tournament runs from June 11 until July 19 2026.