Daniel McDonnell: Spicing up the international window could have mixed implications for Ireland

Daniel McDonnell: Spicing up the international window could have mixed implications for Ireland

Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson and Finn Azaz after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F qualifying win over Armenia at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

The dust is settling on an international window that threw up some great stories around Europe. We had Faroe Islands shocking Czechia, Kosovo securing a win in Sweden that puts a playoff place within touching distance, and Norway’s beautiful hammering of Israel which ensures Italy will have to take their chances next March.

But, of course, England won their games easily again so we’ll probably have to rip up the whole format because of the exceptionalism that makes some of their commentators so insufferable.