Draw hands 'Lucky General' Heimir Hallgrimsson huge incentive to get Ireland to World Cup
South of the border, down Mexico way is where Ireland might play at next summer’s World Cup. And if they can overcome the two substantial obstacles posed by Czechia and either Denmark or North Macedonia, Heimir Hallgrímsson conceded that it is a World Cup group that his team would fancy their chances of emerging from.
Aside from Mexico, Ireland would be pitted against South Africa and South Korea. The fixture against the co-hosts will be played in Mexico and they can expect to play one more game there with another likely to be in Texas.
Of course, they have to qualify first, which means Hallgrímsson might have endured the nonsense of the most absurd World Cup draw in history for nothing.
Draw assistant Wayne Gretzky draws out the card of the winner of UEFA playoffs final Path D, featuring the name of the Republic of Ireland. Pic: FIFA via Sportsfile
To the surprise of absolutely nobody, FIFA President Gianni Infantino bestowed the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize on Donald Trump and it was difficult to judge who was the more ridiculous character during that painful ceremony. About an hour into the proceedings, the draw could begin but only after the three leaders of the host nations (Trump, Mark Carney and Claudia Sheinbaum) each pulled their own country out of the drum.
It was NHL legend Wayne Gretzky who drew Ireland’s name (along with Czechia, Denmark and North Macedonia) and Hallgrímsson says it is a group where everyone would fancy beating everyone else.
It certainly could have been worse, given Scotland have been handed a group with Brazil and 2022 semi-finalists Morocco, and only further enhances the idea that the Icelander can be a lucky general when it comes to favourable draws, ‘It’s exciting,’ the Irish manager said.
Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson. Pic: FIFA via Sportsfile
‘We are not there yet, but it’s exciting to be a part of it. We were hoping to be in the US with the Irish diaspora there. But I played on a couple of occasions in Mexico, in big stadiums, so hopefully we will, if we get there, have a lot of Irish fans coming.’
Hallgrímsson has past history with Mexico when he was in charge of Iceland and Jamaica, and also played Korea, although he has never faced South Africa as a manager. But he was keen to emphasise that his team have work to do in March before even thinking about the group.
‘I think it’s a quite equal group. It’s not like there is a Brazil or Argentina that normally are favourites in the group. I think it was good to be in a host nation group, whether it was Canada, US or Mexico.
Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
‘I’ve played Mexico on a few occasions with Jamaica and Iceland, they are always a tough opponent and I know Mexico playing in Mexico will always be challenging. But then again, they have very demanding fans in Mexico and sometimes they turn on their team if it’s not going well.
‘South Africa I haven’t played against, but Korea I’ve played against. Always a tough opponent, tricky opponent. I think it’s a good group. If we qualify, it’s a good group to be in. But we know we need to focus on what’s ahead and keep our eye on the next opponent, which is Czech Republic.’
And while there are potentially two huge games in March, the manager remains confident his team will qualify. ‘Normally, I am confident. I’m a positive realist, if I would say. I’ve said from the beginning that we are going to qualify. I’m not going to change that now.
Heimir Hallgrimsson. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
That’s how we have worked from day one and that’s how we will keep on working. We are not going to change that.
‘We are going to prepare to be here the best way we can. We are investing in that. That’s why we are taking all the workshops and all the tickets and logistics around the World Cup. It’s going to be a big one. So we better be ready.’
As for the draw itself, Hallgrímsson gave the impression that he had more pleasant evenings. ‘It’s unlike the draws I’ve done in the past, it was maybe show first and football second. That’s not how it should be in a World Cup draw. It was too long for me.’
