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

Ireland will be looking to get their first win in Group F of the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign against Armenia on Tuesday, September 9.

The Boys in Green fought back from two goals down to earn a draw in their opening game against Hungary at the Aviva Stadium which keeps their hopes alive of a play-off spot for next year's major tournament. 

Hungary will be facing group favourites Portugal so it presents a great opportunity for Heimir Hallgrimsson's side to get all three points away to Armenia and put the pressure firmly back on the Hungarians. 

Ireland can take confidence from the fight they showed to earn a point on Saturday as they prepare to face an Armenian side without a win since June 2023. Armenia have lost five of their last six games and conceded sixteen goals in their last three matches including a 5-0 loss to Portugal in their opening game of the group.

Yegishe Melikyan's side will be hoping to turn around their recent poor form against Ireland who they beat 1-0 in a UEFA Nations League game back in June 2022. Ireland managed to win the reverse fixture at home 3-2 in September 2022 but the tightly contested nature of the games will show the Irish squad that Armenia are not to be underestimated. 

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The importance of this fixture can't be taken lightly from an Irish perspective as it's ultimately a must-win game if they are to stand any hope of clinching a play-off spot and qualifying for next year's World Cup in North America. 

When is the game on?

Ireland will play Armenia in the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium in Yerevan on Tuesday September 9, kick-off will take place at 5pm in the Armenian capital. 

Where can I watch it?

RTE 2 and RTE Player will broadcast live coverage of the game starting from 4:30pm. 

Peter Collins will be joined in studio by Kevin Doyle and Shay Given to follow all the action from Yerevan. Commentary will be provided by Darragh Maloney and Stephen Kelly with Tony O'Donoghue reporting from pitch side. 

What is the team news?

Armenia are expected to keep the same eleven as Saturday despite their heavy defeat to Portugal.

Captain Tirse Barseghyan and Eduard Spertsyan are both expected to be the main attacking threats for the Armenians with both players current the leading international scorers in the squad on nine goals each.

Rubin Kazan's Ugochukwu Iwe is once again expected to start in midfield where his presence and defensive capabilities will be huge if they are to keep Ireland at bay. 

As for Ireland, Adam Idah will be pushing to start following his equalising goal against Hungary. The Swansea forward will be in contention after netting his sixth goal for Ireland last time out. 

Hallgrimsson is expected to stay with most of the eleven from the weekend. Evan Ferguson is once again expected to lead the line after adding to his international goal tally with the opener against the Hungarians. 

The spine of the Irish team should remain intact with Nathan Collin and Dara O'Shea in the central defensive positions, Jason Knight and Josh Cullen in the middle of the park whilst Finn Azaz will once again be offering support to Ferguson. 

Who are the players to watch?

Eduard Spertsyan will be the main player to watch from Armenia. The attacking midfielder will be familiar to Irish fans after he scored the winner against Stephen Kenny's Ireland back in 2022 with a well-taken finish. 

Spertsyan also scored in the return leg in Dublin and will be one of the main threats to the Irish defence once again this time out. He is currently the captain of Russian League title holders Krasnador and the joint-leading international scorer of current players in the Armenian squad.

Spertsyan has three goals in as many appearance for the Armenia in 2025 so keeping him quiet will be vital for Ireland if they are to take all three points. 

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Evan Ferguson is Ireland's player to watch. He is beginning to get back to his best this season after an impressive start to his loan spell with Roma in Serie A. 

The Meath man will be absolutely instrumental to Ireland's attacking play as the focal point with his hard work, link-up play, aerial presence and finishing all important traits which may prove to be the difference in the game. 

The young forward will be full of confidence after netting against Hungary on Saturday and will be looking to extend his goal tally against an Armenian side that's been conceding plenty of goals lately.

Ferguson's performance will dictate much of Ireland's success in the attacking areas so all eyes will be on him in Yerevan to once again deliver goals and secure vital points for the Boys in Green.

Who do Ireland play next? 

Following the game in Armenia, the rest of the qualifying campaign will be played over two international breaks in October and November. 

These games will ultimately decide who will be playing at next year's World Cup. Ireland will face Portugal away on October 11 before facing Armenia at the Aviva Stadium on October 14. 

Ireland will welcome Portugal to Dublin on November 13 in the penultimate group game. Hallgrimsson's side will then face Hungary in the final game which many believe could be the decider on which team gets 2nd place in the group earning them a play-off spot. 

There is alot of football to be played before that scenario might play out so Ireland must focus on getting the win in Yerevan and putting themselves in the best position possible going into the remaining group games.