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Qatar will play their first game of 2026 and kick off their World Cup preparations on Thursday in a trip to take on Republic of Ireland.
The hosts cruelly missed out on a spot in this summer's tournament at the final hurdle of European qualifying in March, while their visitors face two friendlies before kicking off in the group stage next month against Switzerland, Canada and Bosnia & Herzegovina.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Republic of Ireland vs. Qatar key stats
- Republic of Ireland have won four of their last six matches and only lost once after a penalty shootout.
- Republic of Ireland are unbeaten on home soil since September 2024.
- Qatar have lost five and won just one of their last nine outings dating back to August 2025.
Republic of Ireland vs. Qatar preview: Can inexperienced Ireland side damage Qatar World Cup preparations?
| Republic of Ireland | vs | Qatar |
|---|---|---|
| 59 | FIFA Ranking | 55 |
| Seamus Coleman (79) | Most Caps | Hassan Al-Haydos (184) |
| Troy Parrott (11) | Most Goals | Almoez Ali (55) |
| 343 | Total Caps | 1378 |
| 22 | Total Goals | 208 |
| 8 | Uncapped Players | 1 |
Republic of Ireland head into a pair of friendlies across May and June aiming to continue a positive run of form after failing to reach the World Cup in March.
They moved into a playoff with a second-placed finish in their first-round group of European qualifying, only to fall agonisingly short against Czech Republic, drawing 2-2 in Prague after leading 2-0 and losing in the penalty shootout to deny them a spot in the final.
That extended The Boys in Green's wait for a return to the global stage for the first time since 2002, but it has come in an improved time for the national team, being their only defeat since October 2025, having won the three games prior and most recently beaten Grenada 5-0 in a friendly in mid-May, as Jack Moylan hit a hat-trick after Tom Cannon's brace.
Heimir Hallgrimsson's men now face two friendlies against World Cup opposition with the chance to test themselves further with an inexperienced squad totalling just 343 caps and 22 goals combined, with the likes of John Egan, Ryan Manning, Robbie Brady, Matt Doherty, Alan Browne, Finn Azaz, Jason Knight and Adam Idah not involved.
Their visitors, meanwhile, head to Dublin aiming to put a win on the board in their preparations for the upcoming World Cup.
Qatar have secured a second consecutive World Cup appearance and a first through qualifying, having featured as the host national and dropped out in the group stage last time around in 2022.
They progressed by topping their group in Asian record with a near perfect record, building momentum with five wins and a draw, but most recently failed to deliver in the FIFA Arab Cup, managing just one point in three group-stage games against Palestine, Syria and Tunisia.
Now heading into friendlies with Republic of Ireland and El Salvador before kicking off against Switzerland in California in mid-June, Qatar will aim to make a winning start to 2026 and build confidence at the Aviva Stadium.
Republic of Ireland vs. Qatar form guide & betting tips
| Republic of Ireland | vs | Qatar |
|---|---|---|
WWLDW |
Form | WLLDL |
| 12 | Goals For | 4 |
| 4 | Goals Against | 8 |
DW |
Friendlies | L |
Whispers predicts: Republic of Ireland 2-1 Qatar
Despite their rotation, Republic of Ireland do come into Thursday's friendly in pleasing form, particularly going forward having scored two or more goals four times in their last five games and notching up a total of 12 in those games. Therefore, we back Republic of Ireland to score over 1.5 goals at 5/6 (1.83).
The hosts have also won four of their last six games, keeping clean sheets in four of those matches, and we see Republic of Ireland as good value to win at 4/6 (1.67).
After sitting out of their May friendly, Troy Parrott will return to lead his country's attack with 11 goals international goals to his name including six in his last four caps and having just finished the Eredivisie season with 16 goals from 28 outings. He is priced at 11/10 (2.10) to score anytime.
> Over 1.5 Republic of Ireland goals at 5/6 (1.83) | Likelihood: Probable
> Republic of Ireland to win at 4.6 (1.67) | Likelihood: Likely
> Troy Parrott to score anytime at 11/10 (2.10) | Likelihood: Possible