Portugal vs Ireland: Where to watch, kick-off time, team news, players to watch and more

The Republic of Ireland will be looking to revive their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign against current Nations League winners Portugal this weekend.

Ireland currently have just one point from their opening two games. They drew to Hungary at home before a disastrous 2-1 defeat to Armenia who are ranked 45 places below them leaving their chances of a playoff spot hanging by a thread. 

The Boys in Green now face a Portugal team led by Roberto Martinez who have won their opening two games and are full of world-class talent including the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes.  

It will be the first meeting between the two nations since June 2024 where Captain Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice in a comfortable 3-0 win for Portugal on home soil. 

Portugal will be hoping to take all three points on Saturday night giving them a firm command on automatic qualification from the group for next year's World Cup as they bid to win the coveted trophy for the first time in their history. 

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It'll be an incredibly tall order for Heimir Hallgrimsson's side to come away with a result against a side that are currently ranked fifth in the world but they will have to try pull off an upset in order to keep their slim qualifying hopes alive. 

When is the game on?

Ireland and Portugal will battle it out at the Estádio José Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon on Saturday night, October 11 with kick-off slated for 7:45pm in the Portuguese capital. 

Where can I watch it? 

RTE2 will be showing live coverage of the game starting from 7pm on Saturday night. Peter Collins will be joined by Didi Hamann and former Ireland shot-stopper Shay Given to discuss the match in Lisbon.

Match commentary will be provided by Des Curran and Ray Houghton whilst Tony O'Donoghue will be reporting from pitch side and bringing interviews from players and the managers either side of the game. 

What's the team news?

Portugal will be without PSG midfielder Joao Neves and Al Hilal full-back Joao Cancelo as the pair miss out with hamstring injuries. 

Nuno Mendes is expected to start at left-back whilst Diogo Dalot and Nelson Semedo will battle it out for a starting spot on the right side of the defence. 

Bruno Fernandes is expected to partner Vitinha in midfield in the absence of Joao Neves whilst 40-year old Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to lead the line. 

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As for Ireland, they are missing a number of players through injury including Matt Doherty, Jason Knight, Sammie Szmodics, Callum O'Dowda and Bosun Lawal. 

Veteran Seamus Coleman returns to the squad for the first time since September 2024 as he prepares to battle it out with Chiedozie Ogbene for the starting spot at right-wing back. 

Nathan Collins, Dara O'Shea and Jake O'Brien are expected to start in the centre-back positions once again despite the return of John Egan to the squad. 

AZ Alkmaar's Troy Parrott returns to the squad after missing out on the September games through injury but the forward is only expected to feature from the bench with Evan Ferguson keeping his place in attack. 

Who are the players to watch?  

Cristiano Ronaldo is still a talismanic figure as he prepares to play his 224th game for Portugal against Ireland. The striker has already scored three goals in the first two World Cup qualifying games and will be hoping to extend his goalscoring streak this weekend. 

PSG's Vitinha will also be crucial in the heart of midfield for Portugal. The maestro who finished 3rd in the latest Ballon D'or rankings is having a brilliant year and will have a big say on proceedings in Lisbon.

His ability to dictate and control the game will be vital for Portugal and Ireland must try keep the midfielder quiet at all costs in order to have any chance at influencing the game in their favour.

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Caoimhin Kelleher will need to have a superb game between the sticks for Ireland if they are to hold any chance of getting a result in the Portuguese capital. The Ireland keeper recently saved a penalty from Portugal's Bruno Fernandes as his side Brentford beat Manchester United and he may need to perform similar heroics once again. 

Much like Kelleher, it is absolutely paramount that Collins, O'Shea and O'Brien all have stellar games in the heart of defence to keep out the monumental attacking threat which Portugal possess. 

If Ireland have any chance of getting a result then it will start with flawless performances from those four at the back as they hope to stay in the mix for a playoff spot before they host Armenia at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday night.