The Republic of Ireland national football team first played in the 1924 Olympics. Between then and 1950 the side played as the Irish Free State and Eire or Ireland. In 1953 FIFA stated that both Irish teams could enter competitions. This is when both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland came into being.

Although the side, in their various guises, have entered all world cups since 1934, it was not until 1990 that the Republic of Ireland national football team made it to the finals of the competition. To date they have featured at three tournaments, making it to the quarter finals in 1990.

World cup history

1990

1994

2002

2018

1990

Italy

The world cup in 1990 was hosted by Italy and won by West Germany. The Republic of Ireland national football team found themselves in one of the tightest groups in world cup history. After three draws against England, Egypt and the Netherlands the side squeezed through in second place. Out of all the group games there was only one win. After another draw in the last 16, the team progressed thanks to a 5-4 penalty win over Romania. The team were finally defeated in the quarter final. They lost 1-0 to hosts Italy. This performance represents the side’s best to date, despite the fact they did not actually win a single game.

1994

United States

The United States were the hosts of the 1994 world cup. The competition was eventually won by Brazil on penalties. It was the first time the world cup had been won on penalties. The Republic of Ireland national football team were again locked in a tight group. After gaining their revenge on eventual runners-up Italy by beating them 1-0, a loss and a draw from them remaining two fixtures saw them to four points. All four teams in the group ended on four points, and the group was decided by goals scored. Ireland again squeezed through in second place. The last 16 was as far as the Republic of Ireland national football team managed. A 2-0 defeat to the Netherlands saw the side on their way home.

2002

Japan and South Korea

The 2002 world cup was the first held in Asia. Hosted by both Japan and South Korea the tournament was won by Brazil. The Republic of Ireland national football team managed a relatively comfortable progression by their standards. The side drew their first two group fixtures against Cameroon and Germany, before a comfortable 3-0 win over Saudi Arabia saw them finish in second place. The last 16 was as good as it got however, but not without a fight. A 90th minute penalty saw the team push Spain all the way to penalties, where they eventually lost 3-2.

2018

Russia

The Republic of Ireland national football team are in Group D alongside Wales, Austria, Serbia, Moldova, and Georgia.

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