FIFA World Cup Play-off Semi-Final - Czechia v Republic of Ireland - 19:45 Thursday 26 March 2026

Sport
1

We have these fuckers on the run

Vladimir Darida confirmed his return to the Czech Republic international team on Tuesday, in a massive boost to their cause ahead of the World Cup playoff against Ireland.

“I feel that everyone around the national team - the management team, the management and the players - are doing their utmost to ensure that the Czech Republic can advance to the World Cup,” Darida said in a statement.

Darida said that he had been convinced to return by head coach Miroslav Koubek and former Ballon d’Or winner Pavel Nedved, who serves as the team’s general manager.

Furthermore, he said he was eager to do his “utmost” alongside the team to bring Czechia to a World Cup for the first time in 20 years.

There is a huge desire in the football public to fulfil this dream, and I feel it exactly the same.

After open and honest conversations with coach Miroslav Koubek and general manager Pavel Nedved, whom I greatly respect, I realised that I also want to be available at this moment and help if there is interest in me.

It is not about any personal ambitions or comebacks, but about the willingness to lend a hand in key matches before the World Cup and to do our utmost together to ensure that Czech football returns to the World Cup.

35-year-old Darida last played for the Czech Republic five years ago.

The midfielder was captain of Czechia at Euro 2020, playing in four of their five games as they reached the quarter-finals.

He retired after their defeat to Denmark in the last eight, wanting to spend more time with his family.

Darida has played in three different countries across a 16-year club career, spending nine years in Germany with Freiburg and Hertha Berlin, and three years in Greece with Aris.

Having previously played for Viktoria Plzen and Sokolov in his home country, Darida joined top-flight club Hradec Králové last summer, and has been in impressive form, scoring eight goals and providing four assists in 22 games as they sit 8th in the table.

Vladimir Darida will bring massive experience to the Czech Republic squad, and his return is a huge boost for Miroslav Koubek’s squad ahead of the game against Ireland, especially if Pavel Sulc is indeed ruled out through injury.

2

I was very confident about this game but as it gets closer my optimism is waning. Apart from Parrott we have barely anyone in form.

1 Like
3

A Corkman forgetting a Corkman.

Someone mark the date. This might be a first.

4

Azaz had a goal and assist last game, Manning also had an assist. Sure when the fuck do we ever have lads in form? International games are a one off and it turns into scrappy and nervous affairs where equal parts organisation & luck play a huge part.

Kelleher

Coleman
Collins
O’Shea
O’Brien
Scales

Azaz
Molumby
Manning

Ogbene
Parrott

Possibly looking at something along those lines, Andrew O played 90 mins against Lyon the weekend he will surely get a recall along with Alan Browne. Cullen is a big loss.

6 Likes
5

1 central midfielder in Moloumby? No chance.

6

The sad thing is we are better off not qualifying for the World Cup if the war kicks off.

Confirmed we will play Israel in Dublin now as well.

7

Knight?

8

@admin Infraction here please.

9

Be greatest of all the world cups to get to. Hopefully we can do it

10

I’m taking a big risk getting stopped in preclearance on Sunday for a work trip to Florida just because I believe in Heimir getting us to the promised land that much.

1 Like
11

Id appreciate a little pen picture on the current form of each lad here and rest of the panel.
Teak tough midfielder. Really enjoying his soccer this year. Playing in his first world cup play off this Sunday. Holds underage medals at all levels.

Kelleher - doing ok in EPL
Coleman -
Collins - dropped EPL
Scales - ok in SPL
O’Se -
Festy -
Manning -
Taylor -
Molumby
Knight
Ferguson - very doubtful
Parrot - playing well
Ogbene -
Kenny -
Johnston -

1 Like
12

Coleman got injured a week or two after Budapest and hasn’t played since.

He’ll be raring to go

13

Ogbene not making Sheffield utd squad.

14

Great, he’ll be rested and raring to go too

1 Like
15

Is he back fit?

16

Ya he played a couple of matches and scored, but not making squad last few games

17

I met a couple of the brothers in a cathedral tonight. We ambled between topics as you would but had an in depth about this. Despite the injuries to cullen and ferguson, im irrationally and utterly optimistic about this. I think the band of brothers culture the dentist has instilled will fire us to a 1 all draw and win on penalties.

1 Like
18

Another body blow if we make it through

Kasper Schmeichel today announced that he won’t be a part of the Danish squad for the games in two weeks time. He told media in Denmark that he aggravated an old injury in Celtic’s Europa League loss to Stuttgart last month.

“It hurts me a lot, because throughout my career I have done everything to play for the Danish national team. It is just the biggest thing for me. I am with the boys all the way, and I know they will give everything to qualify us for the World Cup.

“A year ago I broke my shoulder against Portugal, but stayed on the field and played on because we did not have any more substitutions. It has caused a lot of after-effects that have been difficult to live with – and to play with. But the last few months have taken a bad turn with my shoulder, and it has really caused me problems. When we played the Europa League against Stuttgart a few weeks ago, I landed on the wrong shoulder for their first goal and smashed something again.”

Chelsea 'keeper Filip Jörgensen will likely start in Schmeichel’s place.

19

image
image1080×1350 263 KB

It might be a controversial opinion but this lad fucked right off when we needed him. I say leave the fucker where he is. The squad is united, away and shite ‘Didsy’.

20

To be fair he figured out Spock very early in play which you’d have to respect.

1 Like