Heimir Hallgrímsson, the Republic of Ireland's head coach, praised his team's character and fighting spirit following their recent World Cup qualification match against Hungary. The game, which took place on September 6, 2025, saw Ireland battle back from a 2-0 deficit to secure a 2-2 draw against Hungary at the Aviva Stadium.

Ireland faced an uphill battle early in the game, conceding two goals within the first 15 minutes. Hallgrímsson acknowledged the team's slow start and the need to address the psychological aspect of repeatedly going behind in matches. However, instead of focusing on the negative aspects, the coach chose to highlight the resilience and determination displayed by his players to get back into the game.

Goals from Evan Ferguson and Adam Idah secured the draw for Ireland. Hallgrímsson pointed out that in eight of nine competitive matches under his management, Ireland has gone a goal down, which is a psychological issue that the team needs to address. He expressed his disappointment in only securing one point, especially playing in front of a "fantastic crowd". He further stated that being "sloppy in duels" is unacceptable at this level of competition.

Hallgrímsson was appointed as the new head coach for the Republic of Ireland on July 10, 2024. The former Iceland and Jamaica coach replaced interim manager John O'Shea, who had been in charge since Stephen Kenny's departure in November of the previous year. Hallgrímsson's first competitive game in charge was against England in the UEFA Nations League in September 2024.

Since taking over, Hallgrímsson has aimed to instill a clear philosophy within the team, focusing on structure, set plays, work rate, leadership, physicality, and fast attacking. He wants Ireland to excel in these specific areas, which he believes will be crucial for the team, especially when competing against higher-ranked opponents.

The draw against Hungary marked the beginning of Ireland's campaign to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Ireland is in a group with Hungary, Armenia and Portugal in the UEFA World Cup Qualifiers. Their next match is against Armenia on September 9. While a draw at home wasn't the ideal start, Hallgrímsson remains optimistic about the team's potential and their ability to compete for a spot in the tournament.

Hallgrímsson's calm and logical approach has brought a sense of optimism to the Irish camp. He focuses on clear communication and consistent messaging, fostering a strong team environment. He emphasizes the importance of executing their game plan and not getting overwhelmed by the occasion.

The Irish national team has faced challenges in recent years, failing to qualify for major tournaments since Euro 2016. However, with Hallgrímsson at the helm, there is renewed hope that the team can turn things around and achieve success on the international stage. The team has a mix of experienced players and promising youngsters, which Hallgrímsson aims to mold into a cohesive and competitive unit.