Seamus Coleman: Republic of Ireland’s new generation not scarred by World Cup play-off pain
Republic of Ireland face Czech Republic in World Cup play-off semi-final in Prague on Thursday (7.45pm kick-off); winner will face Denmark or North Macedonia on March 31 for a place at 2026 World Cup; Ireland have not qualified for the World Cup since 2002
Wednesday 25 March 2026 15:13, UK
Seamus Coleman insists the Republic of Ireland's new generation will not be scarred by the bitter pain of World Cup play-off defeat as they attempt to book a ticket for this summer's finals.
Ireland face the Czech Republic at Prague's Fortuna Arena on Thursday evening attempting to go one better than they did in 2009 against France and in 2017, when Denmark shattered their dreams with a 5-1 demolition job in Dublin.
However, Everton defender Coleman, who was not in the squad on that fateful night in Paris and was injured for the game with the Danes, is confident there will be no hangover, with the Czechs standing between Heimir Hallgrimsson's men and a winner-takes-all match with either Denmark or North Macedonia in Dublin on Tuesday.
- World Cup play-offs explained
- Who has qualified for 2026 World Cup and when's the draw?
- World Cup qualifying fixtures and results
Asked if the pain of those near-misses was fuelling the latest bid to make it to the finals for the first time since 2002, the 37-year-old said: "It's difficult to say if it's fuelling the players, they're all so young.
"Obviously the nation was hurt massively, but in terms of the current group of players I don't think they're dwelling too much on that hurt.
"To be honest, we're just riding the wave of the confidence we've got as a group - which I think this young group deserves - from the last two games and we're looking forward to Thursday night and then see what comes after that.
"But to see how the nation is feeling now is incredible and we've got a duty to try and make them even happier."
Ireland are only in Prague because they backed up a scratchy Group F victory over Armenia with an unexpected 2-0 win against Portugal in Dublin before going to Hungary and coming out on top in a five-goal thriller in which Troy Parrott scored the decisive goal with the last kick of the game.
Coleman is one of only two players - 34-year-old Robbie Brady is the other - in the current squad to have been to a major tournament, and the experience they had in earning their trip to Euro 2016 in France could prove invaluable this time around.
Martin O'Neill's team reached the finals by beating Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-1 on aggregate in a play-off after a hard-fought 1-1 draw in Zenica in the first leg.
Coleman said: "Maybe two years ago it would have been a lot for the young lads to take.
"But everyone now has stepped up and are prepared for what's to come and we absolutely, no doubt about it, understand it's going to be a tough game for us, but it's also going to be a tough game for them as well."
Head coach Hallgrimsson, who is without suspended defender Liam Scales and injured midfielder Josh Cullen, as ever exuded calm as he fulfilled his media duties on Wednesday morning, simply asking for more of the same from his players.
He said: "We all know by now why we got good results and good performances, and that's the key, not be over-ambitious tomorrow, stay on point, focus on why we are here and trying to improve that, not only this game, continuously."
Czech boss says Soucek still key player despite not being captain
Czech Republic boss Miroslav Koubek said "full-fat" Tomas Soucek remains a key player for his country despite being stripped of the captaincy.
The 31-year-old West Ham midfielder has been replaced as skipper by Wolves defender Ladislav Krejci after being removed from his position amid the fall-out from the 2-1 defeat by the Faroe Islands in October.
However Koubek, who himself took over from Ivan Hasek as head coach in December, still counts Soucek among his most important players ahead of Thursday night's World Cup play-off semi-final against the Republic of Ireland in Prague.
He said: "Tomas Soucek is an outstanding player with a great career. He doesn't have the captain's armband at this moment for reasons you all know, but nothing changes.
"It does not mean he will lose his value. He is still a 'full-fat' player, if I can use these words."
Soucek's removal as captain has prompted speculation in the Czech media that he could even lose his place in the team, although Koubek remained coy over his team selection.
The 74-year-old said: "I don't read the newspapers, so I don't know. You will see tomorrow."
Koubek's side will welcome Ireland to the Fortuna Arena, the home of domestic champions Slavia Prague, knowing they will have to find a way to stop in-from striker Troy Parrott, who scored five goals in his country's last two qualifiers against Portugal and Hungary to get them to the play-offs.
Asked about his analysis of Heimir Hallgrimsson's team, he said: "One thing I noticed: they put a lot heart into their game. Ireland will definitely be a very tough opponent.
"But we will have a similar mindset, it will be a hard match, definitely.
"As for Parrott, he is outstanding, he is doing great. He is very fit, we know how he works. We do have some information, so now it will all be about eliminating him in a smart way. We will just have to stop him."
Krejci, however, has little doubt that it will be he and his team-mates who ultimately fight it out with either Denmark of North Macedonia for a trip to the United States, Canada and Mexico this summer.
He said: "We will make it. We will reach our goal. We will qualify for the World Cup."
