Eamon Dunphy column: Ireland will bounce Czechs out of World Cup

Ireland have every chance of getting a result in Prague tonight. This is not blind optimism or the usual pre-match noise; it's grounded in what we've seen from this team when the stakes are highest. The two games that got Ireland to this stage -- against Portugal and Hungary -- were seriously impressive. The pressure was on, the margin for error was tiny, and when they had to deliver, they did.

What stood out in those games wasn't just organisation or moments of quality -- it was the intensity and the belief. Those are the non-negotiables at this level. You can talk tactics all day long but if a team doesn't believe it can win, it won't. Ireland showed they have it and they must carry it into Prague. When they step onto the pitch tonight, they need to think not about surviving but about winning.

There is another factor in Ireland's favour and it's not insignificant. The Czech camp appears unsettled. Thomas Souček is a top-class player, arguably their most influential but there have been persistent reports of tension between him and the manager. Dressing room unrest is poison for any team. It creates doubt, fractures unity and, crucially, it distracts players from the job at hand. At this level, where margins are so fine, even a small crack can become decisive.

Souček's situation is particularly telling. After the 6-0 win over Gibraltar back in November 2025, he and some teammates were punished for failing to acknowledge fans who had been critical during a difficult qualifying campaign. The Czech FA stripped him of the captaincy for the next match and redirected player bonuses to charity.

Since then, there has been a managerial change, with Miroslav Koubek replacing Ivan Hašek after their shock defeat to the Faroe Islands. Now, reports suggest Souček could be dropped entirely ahead of this crucial playoff match. If your best player and leader is out of favour, that has a ripple effect. It unsettles everyone.

Against that backdrop, Ireland have an opportunity -- but only if they get their own house in order.

Heimir Hallgrímsson has decisions to make and we know he can be eccentric when it comes to team selection. He has tinkered, sometimes unnecessarily, and it took him far too long to fully trust Troy Parrott. This is not the night for experimentation but for picking your best team and letting them do their job.

One of the key calls is Seamus Coleman. If he is fit, he plays. Simple as that.

His experience, leadership and composure are invaluable in a game like this. Robbie Brady is another interesting case. His return to contention matters -- not just for his ability but for what he brings in terms of experience. The concern is fitness. Two substitute appearances for Preston in recent weeks is not a lot. If he's ready, he offers quality. If not, Ryan Manning is more than capable of stepping in and if he does then it would not be a drop in standards.

Tactically, Ireland must be bold. There will be a temptation to sit deep, to absorb pressure and look to counter. That would be a mistake. This team's strength lies in its energy and its willingness to press. They should be aggressive, close down quickly and force mistakes. If they retreat, they invite pressure -- and against a side like Czechia, that can be dangerous even in a fractured environment.

Up front, the issue is clear: Troy Parrott cannot be left isolated. He has the ability to create chances for himself but no striker thrives alone. He needs support. Adam Idah would be my choice to partner him with his physicality and willingness to occupy defenders. He creates space, he competes and gives Parrott the platform to do what he does best.

Defensively, Ireland are in a strong position. Caoimhin Kelleher has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in Europe. In front of him, Nathan Collins continues to impress with his consistency and authority. There is a solidity there that Ireland can rely on.

Midfield is less about flair and more about function. The absence of Josh Cullen is a blow but it doesn't change the approach. Jason Knight and Jayson Molumby are the kind of players you need in a game like this as Ireland don't need a traditional playmaker.

What they need are players who will win the ball, move it quickly and press with intensity for as long as they can. Seventy minutes of high-energy work, then fresh legs to maintain it. No overcomplication, no unnecessary movement of personnel -- just a clear, consistent approach.

There has been a tendency under Hallgrímsson to overthink, to make changes that disrupt rhythm. Now that he has secured a new contract, this is the moment for him to be pragmatic. Trust the players, trust the system and keep it simple.

If he does that, Ireland can win this game. And if they win this, there is no reason they cannot go on and beat Denmark. Suddenly, the path to the World Cup is not scary.