The Republic of Ireland faces the Czech Republic in a pivotal FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal playoff match on Thursday, March 26, at the Fortuna Arena in Prague. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:45 p.m. Central European Time (CET), which corresponds to 7:45 p.m. GMT in the UK and Ireland, 3:45 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) and 12:45 p.m. Pacific Time (PT) in the United States and Canada, and 6:45 a.m. Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT) on Friday morning for viewers in Australia.
This fixture carries significant stakes, as the winner will earn the right to host the playoff final next Tuesday against the victor of the other semifinal between Denmark and North Macedonia. For Ireland, this match represents a chance to move closer to ending a 24-year absence from soccer's most prestigious tournament.
Ireland enters the contest in strong form, having reversed a challenging start to their World Cup qualifying campaign by securing three consecutive wins in Group F. Their impressive turnaround included a memorable victory over Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal in Dublin. A key figure in their recent success has been striker Troy Parrott, who scored a stunning hat-trick against Hungary in Ireland's final group match, propelling them into the playoff stage.
In contrast, the Czech Republic's qualifying campaign has been more tumultuous. Competing in Group L, the Czechs fell short of securing a top spot, largely due to a surprising 2-1 defeat to the Faroe Islands-a team from a nation with a population of just 55,000. This unexpected loss led to the dismissal of then-head coach Ivan Hašek. For this crucial playoff match, Miroslav Koubek, a former Slavia Prague manager, has been appointed to lead the team. The hosts will be aiming to leverage their strong home record as they look to advance.
For fans eager to watch this important clash, there are several viewing options depending on location:
**In Ireland:** Coverage will be available free-to-air on RTÉ 2, the Irish public broadcaster. The broadcast begins at 7 p.m., an hour and 45 minutes before kickoff, allowing viewers to catch pre-match analysis and build-up. Additionally, the match will be livestreamed for free on the RTÉ Player platform, accessible on numerous mobile and smart devices. This platform is free to use for residents of Ireland.
**In the United Kingdom:** Amazon Prime Video holds the rights to broadcast this World Cup qualifier as a pay-per-view event. Viewers do not need a Prime subscription to watch the match but will need to pay a £2.49 fee for access. For those interested in Amazon's broader offerings, standalone Prime Video subscriptions start at £6 per month, while a full Prime membership costs £9 monthly or £95 annually. Prime membership includes access to Amazon's extensive content library, including popular series like *Fallout* and *Reacher*.
**In the United States:** The match is available on Fubo, a sports-focused live TV streaming platform, as a pay-per-view event priced at $20. Importantly, viewers do not need a full Fubo subscription to purchase and watch this single match. Additionally, the game will be broadcast on ViX, TelevisaUnivision's Spanish-language streaming service. While ViX offers a free tier, access to this match requires a subscription to Vix Plus, which starts at $5 per month for the Premium with Ads tier or $7 monthly for the Premium ad-free option.
**In Canada:** Fans can watch the game live on DAZN Canada, a streaming service specializing in sports content. A DAZN subscription costs CA$30 per month or CA$200 annually and offers access not only to World Cup qualifiers but also to UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Europa Conference League matches, as well as other sports like the EFL Championship, Six Nations rugby, and WTA tennis. DAZN is supported on a wide range of devices, including iOS and Android apps, set-top boxes, and smart TVs.
**In Australia:** The match will be streamed live on Stan Sport. A Stan subscription starts at AU$12 per month, with Stan Sport available as an additional add-on for AU$20 monthly. New users can take advantage of a seven-day free trial. The subscription grants access to a variety of sports content, including Premier League, Champions League, Europa League soccer, international rugby, and Formula E racing.
For viewers traveling abroad who want to follow the World Cup qualifiers, using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) can enhance online privacy and security while streaming. VPNs encrypt internet traffic, preventing internet service providers from throttling speeds and protecting data on public Wi-Fi networks. VPN use is legal in many countries, including the US and Canada, and serves legitimate purposes such as maintaining online privacy and security.
However, some streaming services have policies that restrict VPN use to access region-specific content. Viewers should check the terms of service of their chosen streaming platform to ensure compliance. If opting to use a VPN, it is important to follow the provider's installation instructions and confirm that the streaming service supports VPN connections, as some platforms block access when a VPN is detected.
Among VPN providers, ExpressVPN is currently recommended for its reliability, security, and compatibility across numerous devices. Pricing for ExpressVPN starts at $3.49 per month on a two-year plan for the Basic tier. It also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing users to try the service risk-free.
As the Republic of Ireland and Czech Republic prepare to face off, fans around the world have ample options to catch the action live. With high stakes and passionate supporters on both sides, this World Cup playoff semifinal promises an exciting contest as both teams vie to move closer to football's biggest stage.