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Republic of Ireland national football team facts for kids

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The Republic of Ireland Men's national football team (called Foireann peile náisiúnta Phoblacht na hÉireann in Irish) plays for the Republic of Ireland in international football matches. The team is managed by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI).

The team first played at the 1924 Summer Olympics, reaching the quarter-finals. Between 1924 and 1936, they were known as the Irish Free State. From then until 1950, the FAI called them Éire or Ireland. During this time, another team from Northern Ireland also played. In 1953, FIFA decided that the FAI team would be officially called the Republic of Ireland. The other team was named Northern Ireland. The Republic of Ireland was the first team from outside the United Kingdom to beat England at home in 1949. They reached the quarter-finals of the 1964 European Nations' Cup, losing to Spain.

Under manager Jack Charlton, the team had its most successful period. They reached their highest ever FIFA world ranking of sixth in August 1993. They qualified for UEFA Euro 1988, their first time at the UEFA European Championship. They also reached the quarter-finals of the 1990 FIFA World Cup and the last 16 at the 1994 World Cup. Jack Charlton's replacement, Mick McCarthy, led the team to the last 16 at the 2002 World Cup. Manager Martin O'Neill repeated this feat at Euro 2016.

The team's home stadium is the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Their traditional colours are green shirts and white shorts. The current manager is Heimir Hallgrímsson. Séamus Coleman has been the team captain since 2016.

Quick facts for kids
Republic of Ireland
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s) The Boys in Green
(Irish: Na buachaillí i nglas)
Association Football Association of Ireland (FAI)
Confederation UEFA (Europe)
Head coach Heimir Hallgrímsson
Captain Séamus Coleman
Most caps Robbie Keane (146)
Top scorer Robbie Keane (68)
Home stadium Aviva Stadium
FIFA code IRL
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 34 Decrease 1 (7 February 2019)
Highest 6 (August 1993)
Lowest 70 (June–July 2014)
Elo ranking
Current 43 Decrease 9 (3 March 2019)
Highest 8 (March–April 1991, April 2002, August 2002)
Lowest 63 (May 1972)
First international
 Irish Free State 1–0 Bulgaria 
(Colombes, France; 28 May 1924)
Biggest win
 Republic of Ireland 8–0 Malta 
(Dublin, Ireland; 16 November 1983)
Biggest defeat
 Brazil 7–0 Republic of Ireland 
(Uberlândia, Brazil; 27 May 1982)
World Cup
Appearances 3 (first in 1990)
Best result Quarter-finals (1990)
European Championship
Appearances 3 (first in 1988)
Best result Round of 16 (2016)

Team History and Key Moments

Early Years: 1920s to 1980s

Before 1924, one football team represented all of Ireland. After Ireland was divided in 1920, a new group called the Football Association of the Irish Free State (FAIFS) was formed in Dublin. They started their own league and national team.

In 1923, FIFA recognized the FAIFS. The Irish Free State team played its first international match at the 1924 Summer Olympics. On May 28, they beat Bulgaria 1–0, with Paddy Duncan scoring the first goal. They reached the quarter-finals but lost to the Netherlands.

On June 14, 1924, the team played its first home game against the United States at Dalymount Park. Ed Brookes scored three goals in a 3–1 win. In 1934, the Irish Free State played its first FIFA World Cup qualifier, drawing 4–4 with Belgium. Paddy Moore scored all four goals, becoming the first player to do so in a World Cup game.

After 1936, the team became known as the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) and called their team Éire or "Ireland." For a while, two Irish teams existed, both claiming to represent the whole island. FIFA stepped in and decided that the FAI team would be called the Republic of Ireland for major tournaments.

A big moment came on September 21, 1949, when the Republic of Ireland beat England 2–0 at Goodison Park. This was the first time England lost at home to a team from outside the UK.

Eire 1960
The Republic of Ireland national team had a match at Malmö Stadion against Sweden in May 1960 – players of the team from left to right, standing; Seamus Dunne, Noel Dwyer, Charlie Hurley. Michael McGrath, Pat Saward; crouched: Joe Haverty, George Cummins, Dermot Curtis, Ronnie Nolan, Ambrose "Amby" Fogarty and Fionan "Paddy" Fagan.

In 1965, Shay Brennan, born outside Ireland but with an Irish parent, was chosen to play for the team. This opened the door for many players born in England or Scotland with Irish family to represent the Republic of Ireland.

The team had several managers in the 1970s and 80s, including Mick Meagan, Liam Tuohy, and Johnny Giles. They improved, but still struggled to qualify for big tournaments.

The Golden Era: 1986–1995

In 1986, Jack Charlton, an English manager who won the World Cup with England in 1966, took charge. He led the Republic of Ireland to its most successful period. They qualified for two World Cups and one European Championship. Key players during this time included Paul McGrath, Packie Bonner, Niall Quinn, Ray Houghton, John Aldridge, and Ronnie Whelan.

Ireland's first major tournament was UEFA Euro 1988. They surprised everyone by beating England 1–0 with a goal from Ray Houghton. They drew 1–1 with the Soviet Union and narrowly lost 1–0 to the Netherlands.

Citrus Bowl aerial view crop
The Republic of Ireland played against the Netherlands at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida, where they were eliminated from the 1994 FIFA World Cup after losing 2-0

The team then qualified for the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy. They drew all three group games against England, Egypt, and the Netherlands. This was enough to reach the knockout stage. They famously beat Romania on penalties, with Packie Bonner making a key save and David O'Leary scoring the winning penalty. Ireland then lost 1–0 to host nation Italy in the quarter-finals.

After missing out on Euro 1992, Ireland qualified for the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States. They started with a 1–0 win against Italy, with Ray Houghton scoring. They lost to Mexico and drew with Norway, but still made it to the second round. There, they lost 2–0 to the Netherlands.

Jack Charlton's last game as manager was a play-off match for Euro 1996, where Ireland lost 2–0 to the Netherlands.

After the Golden Era: 1996–2007

Mick McCarthy took over as manager. Ireland missed out on the 1998 World Cup after losing a play-off to Belgium. They also missed Euro 2000, losing a play-off to Turkey on the away goals rule.

Ireland qualified for the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Before the tournament, there was a big disagreement between captain Roy Keane and manager Mick McCarthy, and Keane was sent home. Despite this, Ireland drew with Cameroon and Germany, and beat Saudi Arabia 3–0 to reach the knockout stage. They lost to Spain on penalties after a 1–1 draw.

After a poor start to Euro 2004 qualifiers, McCarthy was replaced by Brian Kerr. Kerr also struggled to qualify the team for major tournaments and was sacked in 2005. Steve Staunton became manager in 2006, but the team failed to qualify for Euro 2008, including a tough 5–2 loss to Cyprus. Staunton left in 2007.

Recent Years: 2008–Present

Giovanni Trapattoni became manager in 2008. Ireland went unbeaten in their 2010 World Cup qualifying group. However, they lost a controversial play-off to France. Thierry Henry handled the ball before setting up a goal, which the referee missed, leading to France winning.

Republic of Ireland national football team 2011
The Ireland players celebrating qualification for UEFA Euro 2012

In 2011, Ireland won the first Nations Cup, beating Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland without letting in a goal. They qualified for UEFA Euro 2012 by beating Estonia in a play-off. At the tournament, they lost all three group matches. However, UEFA gave a special award to the Irish fans for their amazing support, even when the team was losing.

FIFA WC-qualification 2014 - Austria vs Ireland 2013-09-10 - Republic of Ireland national football team
Irish team in September 2013

Ireland did not qualify for the 2014 World Cup, and Trapattoni resigned. Martin O'Neill took over as manager in 2013, with Roy Keane as his assistant.

For UEFA Euro 2016 qualification, Ireland beat world champions Germany 1–0 at the Aviva Stadium, with Shane Long scoring. This helped them reach the play-offs, where they beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 3–1 on aggregate to qualify for Euro 2016.

At Euro 2016, Ireland drew 1–1 with Sweden and lost 3–0 to Belgium. In their final group game, Robbie Brady scored a late goal to beat Italy 1–0, sending Ireland to the knockout stage for the first time in a European Championship. They faced hosts France in the Round of 16, taking an early lead, but eventually lost 2–1.

Ireland reached the play-offs for the 2018 FIFA World Cup after beating Wales 1–0. However, they lost 5–1 on aggregate to Denmark in the play-offs.

In 2018, Martin O'Neill and Roy Keane left their roles. Mick McCarthy returned as manager. Ireland failed to automatically qualify for Euro 2020 and lost a play-off semi-final to Slovakia on penalties.

On April 4, 2020, Stephen Kenny became manager. Ireland did not qualify for the 2022 World Cup. In 2021, Chiedozie Ogbene became the first African-born player to play for the Republic of Ireland.

Ireland did not qualify for Euro 2024, finishing fourth in their group. In October 2023, it was confirmed that Ireland would co-host UEFA Euro 2028 with England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. However, they will not automatically qualify and will need to play in the qualifiers.

Stephen Kenny's contract ended in November 2023. Heimir Hallgrímsson is the current head coach.

Team Kit and Home Stadium

Team Kits

Traditionally, the team wears green shirts, white shorts, and green socks for home games. The away kit is usually white shirts with green shorts and socks. In their first international match in 1924, they wore blue jerseys. In 2021, they wore a blue jersey again to celebrate the FAI's 100th birthday.

Different companies have supplied the kits over the years, including Umbro, New Balance, and currently Castore since 2023.

Home Stadiums

Aviva Stadium Panoramic
Aviva Stadium

Since the 1980s, most home matches have been played at Lansdowne Road in Dublin. This stadium was rebuilt and reopened as the Aviva Stadium in 2010. The Aviva Stadium can hold 51,700 fans for competitive games. The first football match there was in August 2010.

Croke Park from the Hill - 2004 All-Ireland Football Championship Final
Croke Park, the headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association, has been used for Irish matches.

While the Aviva Stadium was being built, the team played some home games at Croke Park, a large stadium in Dublin usually used for Gaelic games. Croke Park can hold about 74,500 fans for football matches.

Before the 1980s, most home games were played at Dalymount Park. The team has also played a few games in other stadiums around Ireland, including Tolka Park, the RDS Arena, Thomond Park in Limerick, and Turners Cross in Cork.

Player Selection and Nationality

Sometimes, players born in Northern Ireland who have Irish family choose to play for the Republic of Ireland team. This can be a sensitive topic, especially if they have played for Northern Ireland's youth teams. However, under the Good Friday Agreement, people born in Northern Ireland can choose Irish citizenship. FIFA rules allow these players to represent the Republic of Ireland unless they have already played a full competitive match for Northern Ireland.

Recent Matches and Future Games

The team plays matches in various competitions, including the UEFA Nations League and qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship.

2024 Matches

7 September 2024 2024–25 UEFA Nations League B Group 2 Republic of Ireland  0–2  England Dublin, Ireland
17:00 UTC+1
Stadium: Aviva Stadium
Attendance: 50,359
Referee: José María Sánchez (Spain)
10 September 2024 2024–25 UEFA Nations League B Group 2 Republic of Ireland  0–2  Greece Dublin, Ireland
19:45 UTC+1 Ioannidis Goal 50'
Tzolis Goal 87'
Stadium: Aviva Stadium
Attendance: 37,274
Referee: Espen Eskås (Norway)
10 October 2024 2024–25 UEFA Nations League B Group 2 Finland  1–2  Republic of Ireland Helsinki, Finland
21:45 UTC+3 Pohjanpalo Goal 17' Scales Goal 57'
Brady Goal 88'
Stadium: Helsinki Olympic Stadium
Attendance: 16,105
Referee: Aleksandar Stavrev (North Macedonia)
13 October 2024 2024–25 UEFA Nations League B Group 2 Greece  2–0  Republic of Ireland Piraeus, Greece
21:45 UTC+3 Bakasetas Goal 48'
Mantalos Goal 90+1'
Stadium: Karaiskakis Stadium
Attendance: 30,253
Referee: Joey Kooij (Netherlands)
14 November 2024 2024–25 UEFA Nations League B Group 2 Republic of Ireland  1–0  Finland Dublin, Ireland
19:45 UTC±0 Ferguson Goal 45' Pohjanpalo Missed 77' Stadium: Aviva Stadium
Attendance: 39,163
Referee: Harm Osmers (Germany)
17 November 2024 2024–25 UEFA Nations League B Group 2 England  5–0  Republic of Ireland London, England
17:00 UTC±0
  • Kane Goal 53' (pen.)
  • Gordon Goal 56'
  • Gallagher Goal 58'
  • Bowen Goal 76'
  • Harwood-Bellis Goal 79'
Stadium: Wembley Stadium
Attendance: 79,969
Referee: Erik Lambrechts (Belgium)

2025 Matches

20 March 2025 UEFA Nations League relegation playoff Bulgaria  1–2 Republic of Ireland Plovdiv, Bulgaria
21:45 UTC+2 Petkov Goal 6' Azaz Goal 22'
Doherty Goal 42'
Stadium: Stadion Hristo Botev
Attendance: 7,835
Referee: Benoît Bastien (France)
23 March 2025 UEFA Nations League relegation playoff Republic of Ireland 2–1
(4–2 agg.)
 Bulgaria Dublin, Ireland
19:45 UTC±0 Ferguson Goal 63'
Idah Goal 84'
Antov Goal 30' Stadium: Aviva Stadium
Attendance: 40,156
Referee: Halil Umut Meler (Turkey)
6 June 2025 Friendly Republic of Ireland  1–1  Senegal Dublin, Ireland
19:45 UTC+1 McAteer Goal 21' Sarr Goal 82' Stadium: Aviva Stadium
Attendance: 32,478
Referee: Adam Ladebäck (Sweden)
10 June 2025 Friendly Luxembourg  0–0  Republic of Ireland Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
20:45 UTC+1 Stadium: Stade de Luxembourg
Attendance: 6,312
Referee: Stefan Ebner (Austria)
6 September 2025 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Republic of Ireland  v  Hungary Dublin, Ireland
19:45 UTC+1 Stadium: Aviva Stadium
9 September 2025 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Armenia  v  Republic of Ireland Yerevan, Armenia
20:00 UTC+4 Stadium: Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium
11 October 2025 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Portugal  v  Republic of Ireland Lisbon, Portugal
19:45 UTC+1 Stadium: Estádio José Alvalade
14 October 2025 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Republic of Ireland  v  Armenia Dublin, Ireland
19:45 UTC+1 Stadium: Aviva Stadium
13 November 2025 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Republic of Ireland  v  Portugal Dublin, Ireland
19:45 UTC±0 Stadium: Aviva Stadium
16 November 2025 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Hungary  v  Republic of Ireland Budapest, Hungary
15:00 UTC+1 Stadium: Puskás Aréna

Coaching Staff

The current coaching team for the senior men's national side includes:

Position Name
Head Coach Iceland Heimir Hallgrímsson
Assistant Head Coach Republic of Ireland John O'Shea
Republic of Ireland Paddy McCarthy
Goalkeeping coach Iceland Guðmundur Hreiðarsson

Player Records

These are some of the top players for Ireland based on how many games they played (caps) and how many goals they scored. Players in bold are still playing for Ireland.

Most Games Played (Caps)

FIFA WC-qualification 2014 - Austria vs Ireland 2013-09-10 - Robbie Keane 02
Robbie Keane, Ireland's top goalscorer and most-capped player.
Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1 Keane, RobbieRobbie Keane 146 68 1998–2016
2 Given, ShayShay Given 134 0 1996–2016
3 O'Shea, JohnJohn O'Shea 118 3 2001–2018
4 Kilbane, KevinKevin Kilbane 110 8 1997–2011
5 McClean, JamesJames McClean 103 11 2012–2023
6 Staunton, SteveSteve Staunton 102 7 1988–2002
7 Duff, DamienDamien Duff 100 8 1998–2012
8 McGeady, AidenAiden McGeady 93 5 2004–2017
9 Quinn, NiallNiall Quinn 91 21 1986–2002
Whelan, GlennGlenn Whelan 91 2 2008–2019

Most Goals Scored

Rank Player Goals Caps Average Career
1 Keane, RobbieRobbie Keane (list) 68 146 0.47 1998–2016
2 Quinn, NiallNiall Quinn 21 91 0.23 1986–2002
3 Stapleton, FrankFrank Stapleton 20 71 0.28 1977–1990
4 Givens, DonDon Givens 19 56 0.34 1969–1981
Aldridge, JohnJohn Aldridge 19 69 0.28 1986–1997
Cascarino, TonyTony Cascarino 19 88 0.22 1985–2000
7 Long, ShaneShane Long 17 88 0.20 2007–2021
8 Cantwell, NoelNoel Cantwell 14 36 0.39 1953–1967
Walters, JonathanJonathan Walters 14 54 0.26 2010–2018
Doyle, KevinKevin Doyle 14 63 0.22 2006–2017

Tournament Records

FIFA World Cup History

Ireland has played in the FIFA World Cup three times.

  • 1990 World Cup: This was Ireland's first time at the World Cup. They drew all their group games and then beat Romania on penalties to reach the quarter-finals. They lost 1–0 to host nation Italy.
  • 1994 World Cup: Ireland beat Italy 1–0 in their first game, a famous victory. They made it to the second round but lost to the Netherlands.
  • 2002 World Cup: Despite some challenges, Ireland drew with Cameroon and Germany, and beat Saudi Arabia to reach the knockout stage. They lost to Spain on penalties.
Ray Houghton 1995
Ray Houghton scored against Italy at the 1994 FIFA World Cup

Ireland has also had some close calls in qualifying, like in 2010 when a controversial handball by Thierry Henry helped France beat them in a play-off.

UEFA European Championship History

Ireland has played in the UEFA European Championship three times.

  • 1988 European Championship: This was Ireland's first European Championship. They famously beat England 1–0, drew with the Soviet Union, and narrowly lost to the Netherlands.
  • 2012 European Championship: Ireland qualified but lost all three of their group matches. However, their fans were praised for their amazing support.
  • 2016 European Championship: Ireland drew with Sweden, lost to Belgium, and then beat Italy 1–0 with a late goal to reach the Round of 16. They lost to hosts France in a close game.
ITA-IRL 2016-06-22
Irish line up for Ireland's fixture against Italy at Euro 2016

Honours and Awards

Regional Competitions

  • Celtic Nations Cup
    • Winners (1): 2011

Friendly Tournaments

  • Iceland Triangular Tournament
    • Winners (1): 1986

Special Awards

  • FIFA Fair Play Award: 1997 (for their fans' excellent behaviour)

More About Irish Football

  • Republic of Ireland women's national football team
  • Republic of Ireland national under-21 football team

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Irlanda para niños

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