IRELAND are all but assured of a spot at Euro 2028 – barring a qualification ‘Brexit’ and a failure of two of England, Scotland and Wales to make the finals automatically.
UEFA today confirmed the qualification format for the next European Championships that will be jointly hosted by Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales.
With only two spots reserved for host, the four-nation tournament presented a new issue.
So UEFA has decreed that all four nations will compete in the qualification process, though two spots will be reserved for hosts should any of the four fail to qualify.
What that means is that the only way Ireland would miss out or be forced into a play-off is if the Boys in Green and at least two British nations miss out on automatic qualifying.
In reality, that seems highly unlikely as it has not happened since the Euros became a 24-team tournament in 2016.
All four host nations will be drawn in different qualification groups with the 12 group winners and eight best runners up then progressing to the finals.
In the event that there are more than two hosts who fail to qualify, the two with the best qualification record will progress.
The play-off spots will be determined by Nations League rankings with how many hosts qualify to determine whether there will be two, three, or four spots for the play-offs.
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Seamus Coleman is the only remaining active player with major tournament experience