The Republic of Ireland have appeared in the Men's FIFA World Cup in 1990, 1994, and 2002. They have always advanced from the group stage but have never advanced beyond the quarter-finals.
Their first appearance was in Italy at the 1990 Men's FIFA World Cup. 1990 was also their best performance in a major championship, where they reached the quarter-finals, despite not winning a single match in 90 minutes.
Overall record FIFA World Cup recordQualification recordYearRoundPosition*Position 1930Did not enterDeclined participation 1934Did not qualify2011693/3 19382011562/2 19504112672/3 19544202862/3 19584211672/3 196240043173/3 1966310225Lost Play-off 197060153144/4 19744112452/3 19784112243/3 1982842217113/5 198682245104/5 1990Quarter-finals 8th50412385211022/5 1994Round of 1616th411224127411962/7 1998Did not qualify1254324112/6; Lost Play-off 2002Round of 1612th413063128312562/6; Won Play-off 2006Did not qualify104511254/6 20101247113102/6; Lost Play-off 20141042416174/6 20181255213112/6; Lost Play-off 202282331183/5 20266312972/4; Lost Play-off 2030To be determined 2034TotalQuarter-finals3/25132831010155614747219184—
*Draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out.
List of FIFA World Cup matchesYearRoundScoreResultRepublic of Ireland scorers1990Group stage 1–1 DrawKevin Sheedy 1–1 DrawNiall Quinn 0–0 Draw—Round of 16 0–0 Draw—Quarter-finals 0–1 Loss—1994Group stage 1–0 WinRay Houghton 1–2 LossJohn Aldridge 0–0 Draw—Round of 16 0–2 Loss—2002Group stage 1–1 DrawMatt Holland 1–1 DrawRobbie Keane 3–0 WinRobbie Keane Gary Breen Damien Duff Round of 16 1–1 DrawRobbie Keane
1990 World Cup
Group F
TeamPldWDLGFGAGDPts312021+143030220330302203302112−12
Note: Republic of Ireland awarded second place by drawing of lots
Knockout phase
1994 World Cup
Group E
TeamPldWDLGFGAGDPts31113304311122043111220431111104
Knockout phase
2002 World Cup
Group E
TeamPldWDLGFGAGDPts3210111+107312052+35311123−143003012−120
Knockout phase
Record players Defender Steve Staunton has represented the Irish team in all of their thirteen World Cup matches, captaining the side in 2002.
RankPlayerMatchesTournaments1Steve Staunton131990, 1994, 20022Pat Bonner91990, 1994Ray Houghton91990, 1994Paul McGrath91990, 1994Andy Townsend91990, 19946John Aldridge81990, 19947Niall Quinn71990, 20028Tony Cascarino61990, 1994Gary Kelly61994, 2002Jason McAteer61994, 2002
Goalscorers
On June 11th 1990, Kevin Sheedy made history by scoring Ireland's first-ever FIFA World Cup goal. He did it on their opening match against England in Cagliari.
RankPlayerGoalsTournaments1Robbie Keane320022Kevin Sheedy11990Niall Quinn11990John Aldridge11994Ray Houghton11994Gary Breen12002Damien Duff12002Matt Holland12002
See also Republic of Ireland at the UEFA European Championship Republic of Ireland at the UEFA Nations League
References
External links Ireland Profile at FIFA.com Ireland World Cup Record at FIFA.com Article on Ireland's Qualification for the 1990 World Cup Article on Ireland at 1994 FIFA World Cup World Cup Record at Planet World Cup