Unbeaten Portugal (3-1-0) will seal direct qualification to the FIFA World Cup 2026 if they beat Ireland in their penultimate Group F fixture at the Aviva Stadium. Armed with a five-point lead, Roberto Martinez's team are in the box seat to seal a seventh consecutive appearance at football's global showpiece. Ireland (1-1-2), for their part, still have a mathematical chance to keep their World Cup aspirations alive by causing a huge upset on Thursday night against an opponent that is fifth in the FIFA world rankings. They are currently third in the group but only a point behind second-placed Hungary with two matches still to play.