FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifying – UEFA Group F

Date: Sunday 16 November 2025

Local kick-off: 15:00 Europe/Budapest (CET, UTC+1).

Venue: Puskas Arena, Budapest, Hungary. Capacity 67,215.

Fixture hub reference: Flashscore listing for Hungary vs Republic of Ireland on 16 Nov 2025.

Match Preview

Group F comes to a dramatic close in Budapest as Hungary host the Republic of Ireland at the Puskas Arena. The arithmetic is simple and the stakes are huge. Hungary start the day inside the qualification places, while Ireland arrive on a surge after a statement 2-0 win over Portugal in Dublin. With kickoff at 15:00 local time, a partisan crowd and two well-drilled teams, this looks like a classic European decider.

Form and momentum tilt the narrative in interesting ways. Hungary took four points from a demanding October window against Portugal and Armenia, then added a clinical away victory in Yerevan three days ago to firm up their position. Ireland answered a slow start to the campaign with back to back wins over Armenia and then that eye-catching triumph against Portugal, a result that revived their playoff hopes and injected belief before traveling to Budapest. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

How Hungary play: Marco Rossi’s side are comfortable in a flexible back three or back four, but the common thread is strong structure and quick diagonals into runners from wide areas. With Dominik Szoboszlai orchestrating, Hungary look to create overloads in the half spaces, then feed low crosses and cut-backs rather than hopeful high balls. Set plays are a consistent source of pressure, and the Puskas Arena atmosphere helps them pin opponents deep for long spells. Recent qualifier evidence shows Hungary mixing patience with sudden vertical bursts that force mistakes in the second phase.

How Ireland respond: Heimir Hallgrimsson has tightened Ireland’s distances between the lines and leaned into quick transitions. The win over Portugal highlighted that blend: compactness without the ball, a clear press trigger on loose touches, and sharp attacking strikes when space opened up. In Budapest, Ireland will aim to protect the central corridor, limit Szoboszlai’s touches on the half turn, and spring forwards into the channels on regain. A strong restart routine and the confidence from Thursday’s win are additional weapons.

Key battlegrounds: the area just outside the Hungarian penalty box when Ireland counter, and Hungary’s left half space where Szoboszlai drifts to connect. If Ireland’s screen denies central receipts and forces Hungary into earlier crosses, the visitors can keep the game in front of them. If Hungary consistently find their advanced midfielders between lines, they will manufacture the cut-back chances that usually produce high-value looks.

Psychology and history also matter. The sides shared a 2-2 draw in Dublin on Matchday 1. In 2024, Ireland edged a friendly 2-1, while the 2021 meeting in Budapest ended 0-0. The pattern implies fine margins and a premium on the first goal. Expect long spells decided by territory, second balls and the ability to reset pressure after clearances.

Bottom line: the market leans toward a tight home win due to venue, table position and Hungary’s control phases. Ireland’s improved aggression and recent statement result keep the draw firmly in play, and a late twist is very possible if the game opens after the hour. index=8}

TV Broadcast and Livestreams

• Hungary: M4 Sport scheduled to carry the game.
• Ireland: RTE 2 and RTE Player with coverage from 13:00 local in Dublin for a 14:00 Dublin kickoff.
• United Kingdom: Selected European Qualifiers available on Amazon Prime Video listings.
• Global: Refer to UEFA’s official list of broadcast partners for your territory. 

Exact selections can vary by region and are subject to changes near kickoff. Always verify final listings on the day.

Match Information

Kickoff window and venue per UEFA and fixture hubs. Timezone confirmation via reputable time resources.

Odds (1X2)

Odds move over time and differ by jurisdiction. Check your bookmaker close to kickoff.

Form and Head-to-Head

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Head-to-Head – recent meetings

H2H summary per ESPN match pages.

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Standings Snapshot

Group F table snapshot after matches on 13 Nov 2025 per ESPN.

Prediction

Pick: Hungary 1-1 Republic of Ireland

Reasoning: Hungary’s control phases at the Puskas Arena and their recent results make them rightful favorites, but Ireland’s renewed intensity and Thursday’s clean sheet against Portugal suggest they can turn this into a duel-heavy contest with transition chances both ways. Market prices point to a narrow home lean, yet the draw remains a strong live outcome in a high-pressure decider.