Ireland is hoping to move a step closer to ending a 24-year absence from soccer's biggest stage as it faces the Czech Republic today in this FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal playoff match.

There will be no North American adventure for the Republic of Ireland this summer after penalties punctured their World Cup qualification dreams on a cold Thursday night in Prague.

It was initially first blood to Wales in the shoot-out after Karl Darlow denied Ermedin Demirovic, but celebrations were short-lived after Brennan Johnson lifted his effort over and Neco Williams was ...