International Friendly LIVE: Republic of Ireland vs Qatar – Live Score, Commentary, Match Stats and Head-to-Head

Republic of Ireland will meet Qatar for the third time, having played two friendlies in 2021. The first finished 1-1 in Hungary in March, before Ireland produced a convincing 4-0 win at the Aviva Stadium in October. The Boys in Green have a strong record against Asian opposition overall, winning nine of their 11 matches against teams from the continent. Their only defeats or dropped points in those fixtures came in a 1-0 loss to Iran in November 2001 and the draw with Qatar in March 2021. At home, Ireland have been perfect against Asian sides, winning all five games and scoring 13 goals without conceding any.

Ireland arrive in good form, unbeaten in their last six matches in all competitions with four wins and two draws. That is their best run since a stretch of eight games between September 2021 and March 2022. Their most recent outing, a meeting with Grenada, showed their attacking depth and new talent. Ireland registered 37 shots, their highest total in a match in Opta’s records since June 2012. Seven players made their senior debuts in that game, the most in a single Ireland match since May 2007, when 11 players earned first caps against Ecuador. Jack Moylan stood out by scoring a hat-trick on debut, becoming only the second player to do so for Ireland after David Kelly against Israel in 1987. Kelly also remains the last Ireland player to score in each of his first two appearances and holds the national record for most goals across his first two caps, with four.

Qatar come into the fixture with a mixed record against European opposition. They have avoided defeat in five of their last seven matches against teams from Europe, with two wins and three draws, but they are currently winless in their last three, losing twice and drawing once since a 1-0 victory over Albania in November 2022. Their path to the 2026 FIFA World Cup was difficult in qualifying. During the third round of AFC qualifying, Qatar conceded 24 goals, more than any other team, and allowed three or more goals in half of their 10 matches. They eventually secured their place in the finals via the fourth round, drawing 0-0 with Oman before beating the United Arab Emirates 2-1.

Qatar’s attacking threat is led by Almoez Ali, who scored 12 goals in 2026 World Cup qualifying. Only Norway’s Erling Haaland scored more, finishing with 16. Ali’s form gives Qatar a key outlet as they prepare to face an Ireland side that has been steady, confident, and hard to break down at home against Asian opponents.