Hungary vs Ireland Prediction 16 November 2025

📢 What can we expect from the clash between Hungary and Ireland in the final round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers at the legendary Puskás Arena? This is one of the most decisive matches of the entire qualification campaign, with everything on the line for both the hosts and the visitors. Hungary simply need to avoid defeat to secure a spot in the playoffs, while Ireland must win to keep their World Cup dreams alive. Any mistake could prove fatal.

Head-to-Head

📊 Hungary and Ireland have faced each other only once in official matches in the 21st century, and that was in September during the first round of the current qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. The match turned out to be unexpectedly thrilling: the Hungarians were already leading 2-0 by the 15th minute and seemed to have firm control of the game. However, the Irish showed resilience, stepped up their game after the break, and snatched a 2-2 draw in the 90+3 minute, punishing their opponents for losing focus in the closing stages.

Hungary Team Overview

🔴 Hungary approach the upcoming clash in high spirits. On November 13, the national team secured a crucial away victory against Armenia (1-0). The match was challenging: although the Armenians attacked less frequently and had fewer shots on goal (14 to 6), they created no fewer dangerous opportunities. However, the Hungarians held firm, displayed organized defense, and clinched three points, which are vital in the tournament race.

⚪ The group situation remains highly intriguing. Hungary sit in second place, trailing Portugal by two points and leading Ireland by one. Theoretically, the Magyars still have a chance at first place, but this would require Portugal to slip up in their home game against Armenia, who have no motivation in the standings. To maintain second place, Hungary only need a draw against Ireland, making the upcoming match particularly tense.

Ireland Team Overview

🟢 Ireland, who started their qualifying campaign on a disappointing note with just one point from the first round, have bounced back with impressive performances in their last two matches. In mid-October, the "Green Army" secured a hard-fought victory over Armenia (1-0), followed by a stunning upset on November 13, where they blanked Portugal at home (2-0). Against the Portuguese, the Irish displayed exceptionally solid defensive football. Despite facing 27 shots from the opposition, the hosts' counterattacks proved far more threatening. The first half ended 2-0, and Heimir Hallgrímsson's side expertly shut up shop in defense. After Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off in the 59th minute, seeing out the victory became a much simpler task.

⚪ In the standings, Ireland sit third with 7 points. The scenario is straightforward: the visitors must win—any other result will leave them out of the playoffs. Theoretically, there's still a chance for the top spot, but it would require a big win over Hungary and a defeat for Portugal against Armenia—a scenario few believe is likely.

Latest news

Hungary

📣 Reflecting on the 1-0 victory over Armenia, Hungary's head coach Marco Rossi highlighted the stark contrast between the halves: "The first half went exactly as we planned, creating numerous chances. But after the break, everything seemed to flip – the Armenians stepped up and skillfully capitalized on our mistakes." Discussing the reasons for the second-half dip, he acknowledged: "I take full responsibility for our lackluster performance after halftime. We tried to inject fresh energy with substitutions, but we failed to maintain ball control – almost every second touch saw the ball back with the opponent."

✅ Hungary reported no injuries following their win against Armenia, so it's reasonable to expect the same starting lineup for Sunday's match.

Ireland

📣 Republic of Ireland's head coach, Heimir Hallgrímsson, on their 2-0 victory over Portugal and the mindset ahead of the decisive group stage match: "This is only half the battle. We wanted to approach the final game with a chance to secure second place—and now we have it."

✅ As for Ireland's lineup, Heimir Hallgrímsson is unlikely to make drastic changes—the team displayed a solid defensive performance against Portugal, and maintaining the current setup seems the most likely course of action.

📌 At the press conference following the Portugal match, Heimir Hallgrímsson confirmed that Evan Ferguson has resumed training in Rome, and closer to the game, he will assess whether the forward can participate in the clash against Hungary.

⚽️ Goal Prediction

⚽️ Goal Prediction

The upcoming encounter is likely to be the complete opposite of their September clash (2-2). Back then, both teams delivered a high-scoring affair, but now every mistake carries a heavy price: a loss would be irreparable (and even a draw would spell disaster for Ireland) – they'd be watching the 2026 World Cup from their living rooms. Therefore, we expect a tight, cautious game where one or two moments could decide the outcome. A bet on under 2.5 goals looks like the optimal choice.

🚩 Corner Prediction

As we've noted, only a victory will suffice for Ireland in this upcoming match; otherwise, they can kiss their second-place hopes goodbye. Despite the strength of their opponent and the away setting, the "Green Army" will be compelled to take control and dictate play. They will seize any opportunity to earn set-pieces, as every corner is a prime chance for Ireland to capitalize on their physical advantage. Therefore, a bet on Ireland over 3.5 corners appears to be a smart wager.