We have a Hungary v Republic of Ireland prediction for you, plus a breakdown of the betting odds, team news and matchups ahead of Sunday’s huge World Cup Qualifier.
Hungary know that if they avoid defeat on Sunday, they’re certain to qualify for the World Cup playoffs.
Ireland will be coming into this bouncing following their 2-0 win over Portugal in Dublin, but will need to make it back-to-back wins if they’re to qualify for the World Cup play-offs.
Betting Odds
Hungary v Republic of Ireland Betting Odds - World Cup Qualifying 2025/26
Team | Odds | Chance |
|---|---|---|
Hungary | 4/5 | 55.6% |
Republic of Ireland | 16/5 | 23.8% |
Draw | 12/5 | 29.4% |
Hungary can be backed at 1/7 favourites to continue their pitch-perfect start to World Cup qualifying. Ireland are huge underdogs and can be gotten at a massive 16/1 to flip the narrative behind their qualifying aspirations, and the draw is also currently priced at 13/2.
*Odds are correct at the time of writing, but subject to change.
Poll Entry
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Handicap Betting
Hungary: -1 - 12/5
Republic of Ireland +1 – 20/21
Handicap Draw -1 @ 5/2
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How To Watch
How To Watch Hungary v Republic of Ireland
This match kicks off at 3 pm Irish time on Sunday at the Puskas Arena and will be broadcast live on RTÉ 2.
Form Guide
Hungary Form Guide
Italian Marco Rossi was appointed as Hungary Head Coach in June 2018, following a 14-year coaching career in the lower echelons of Italian Football as well as stints in Hungary and one in Slovakia. He’s since helped them to qualify for the Euro Championship Group Stage in both 2020 and 2024, but the World Cup has passed them by, with their last appearance being the 1986 tournament in Mexico.
The 2025 season started poorly for this Hungarian side with a 1-6 aggregate defeat to Turkey in March, which was followed by a 0-2 defeat to Sweden in the first of their June friendlies. However, since then they’ve been relatively strong with 3 victories, 2 draws and their sole defeat coming in a narrow 2-3 scoreline against Portugal last September.
While Hungary raced into a 0-2 lead at the Aviva last September, they were outclassed and outfought by this Irish side in the second half and were arguably fortunate to come away with a 2-2 draw after goals from Ferguson and Idah. Though interestingly, Liverpool footballers Szoboszlai and Kerkez had positive showings.
Hungary’s Last Five Results
Armenia 0-1 Hungary | November 13th | Win
Portugal 2-2 Hungary | October 14th | Draw
Hungary 2-0 Armenia | October 11th | Win
Hungary 2-3 Portugal | September 9th | Loss
Republic of Ireland 2-2 Hungary | September 6th | Draw
2 Wins, 2 Draws and 1 Loss
Republic of Ireland Form Guide
Republic of Ireland Form Guide
Ahead of Thursday’s fixture with Portugal, it was seen as a do-or-die window for Heimir Hallgrímsson, mastermind a playoff or likely have his contract expire as Ireland Head Coach. Though the evening started with Hungary earning a 0-1 win in Armenia, it means that a defeat would end their qualifying chances, and a draw would make it extremely difficult. However, this time a heroic victory was to be on the cards, and a 2-0 win over Portugal kept their World Cup dreams alive at least for a few days.
Following Ireland’s most historic victory on Thursday Night over a full-strength Portuguese side, it was the most impressive win in recent memory for an Irish Senior side at a minimum since their Euro 2016 win over Italy, and even then that came against a largely rotated Italian team. Question marks will remain over this Irish side whether they can put in back-to-back performances in the same international window, which has been a rarity in recent seasons under successive regimes.
While Ireland outperformed the Hungarians in the second half at Dublin, a similarly slow start would likely be the death of their qualifying hopes, with nothing other than a win acceptable on Sunday. Following that win over Portugal, provided there are no fitness concerns, I could see Heimir initially naming a back-to-back eleven for this fixture.
Republic of Ireland’s Last Five Results
Republic of Ireland 2-0 Portugal | September 13th | Win
Republic of Ireland 1-0 Armenia | October 14th | Win
Portugal 1-0 Republic of Ireland | October 11th | Loss
Armenia 2-1 Republic of Ireland | September 9th | Loss
Republic of Ireland 2-2 Hungary | September 6th | Draw
2 Wins, 2 Losses and 1 Draw
Predicted Line Ups
Hungary v Republic of Ireland Predicted Lineups
Hungary Predicted Starting XI (4-3-3)
GK: Dibusz
RB: Nego, CB: Orban, CB: Szalai, LB: Kerkez
CM: Schafer, CM:Styles, CM: Szoboszlai
RW: Bolla, CF: Varga, LW: Sallai
Republic of Ireland Predicted Starting XI (3-4-2-1)
GK: Kelleher
RCB: O’Brien, CB: Collins, LCB: O’Shea
RM: Coleman, CM: Cullen, CM: Taylor. LM: Scales
AM: Ogbene, AM: Azaz
CF: Parrott
Head To Head
Hungary v Republic of Ireland Head-To-Head Results & Stats
All-Time Head-To-Head Record
Hungary wins: 4
Republic of Ireland wins: 3
Draws: 7
Head-To-Head Results Last Five Matches
Republic of Ireland 2-2 Hungary | World Cup Qualifying | September 6th, 2025
Republic of Ireland 2-1 Hungary | Friendly | June 4th, 2024
Hungary 0-0 Republic of Ireland | Friendly | June 8th, 2021
Hungary 0-0 Republic of Ireland | Friendly | June 4th, 2012
Hungary 1-2 Republic of Ireland | Friendly | September 11th, 1991
Key Players To Watch
Key Players To Watch
Dominik Szoboszlai - Hungary
The magic man for both club and country was sensational in their crucial 0-1 victory over Armenia on Thursday, not just assisting what proved to be Varga’s 33rd minute winner, but he controlled the midfield, creating the most chances with 5 and completing 49/51 passes for a pass completion of 96%. He will be a huge threat again for Hungary come Sunday, looking to add to his 17 goals from 60 caps.
Troy Parrott - Republic of Ireland
Ahead of Thursday night's tie with Portugal, the man we highlighted as the key player for Ireland duly delivered with the AZ Alkmaar striker being unplayable in front of goal, grabbing a brace in a shock 2-0 win. Following years of expectancy around his performances for Ireland, he took the mantle against the Portuguese, and a similar showing would likely see Ireland reach the World Cup playoffs.
Prediction & Best Bet
Hungary v Republic of Ireland Prediction & Best Bet
Prediction: Hungary 0-1 Republic of Ireland
Hungary know avoiding defeat will be good enough to deny Ireland their World Cup playoff place, but will have to tread against complacency.
Only a win for Ireland will do, and though their performance against the Portuguese was exceptional, question marks remain whether they can put in back-to-back performances.
I’m expecting a tense, tight tie on Sunday with not many goals, but Ireland may just edge it.
Hungary v Republic of Ireland Tips
Best Bet: Dominik Szoboszlai To Score Anytime @ 5/2
Best Bet: Troy Parrott To Score Anytime @ 7/2
Simply click/tap on the above betting tips to add to your betslip.
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*Prices are subject to fluctuation
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