Kosovo vs Republic of Ireland: Prediction, Team News & Lineups | 24 September 2026

Kosovo make their first appearance in UEFA Nations League B when the Republic of Ireland visit Pristina on Thursday night.

The hosts begin a new chapter after narrowly missing World Cup qualification, while Ireland arrive on a seven-match unbeaten run despite losing several senior players to injury.

Goal.mu prediction: Kosovo 1-1 Republic of Ireland

Kosovo vs Republic of Ireland Match Details

• Competition: UEFA Nations League – League B, Group B3
• Date: Thursday, 24 September 2026
• Kick-off: 20:45 local time
• Venue: Fadil Vokrri Stadium
• City: Pristina
• Matchday: 1

Match Preview

This is an important opening fixture for two nations with realistic ambitions of competing near the top of League B3.

Kosovo have reached League B for the first time after pushing Türkiye all the way in the World Cup play-off final.

Franco Foda’s side beat Slovakia 4-3 away in the play-off semi-final before losing 1-0 to Türkiye in Pristina.

Their June friendlies then produced a 2-1 defeat against Czechia followed by an encouraging 3-0 victory over Andorra.

Ireland arrive on a different but equally positive trajectory.

They lost their World Cup play-off against Czechia on penalties following a 2-2 draw, but have since built an unbeaten sequence that includes a 5-0 win over Grenada, a 1-0 victory over Qatar and a 1-1 draw in Canada.

Heimir Hallgrímsson has pointed to Ireland’s seven-match unbeaten run and improved defensive displays as evidence of progress.

Pristina, however, should offer a significantly tougher test than several of Ireland’s recent fixtures.

Kosovo Analysis

Kosovo’s greatest strength remains their attacking personnel.

Vedat Muriqi returns after being rested for the June programme, giving Foda a natural focal point through the middle.

Edon Zhegrova and Milot Rashica provide creativity and pace around him.

Why Muriqi Matters

Muriqi changes the way Kosovo can attack.

They do not need to depend entirely on patient combinations through midfield. Direct passes into the striker can generate second balls and allow Zhegrova, Rashica and supporting midfielders to attack the next phase.

That approach could be particularly important against an Ireland defence missing captain Nathan Collins.

Without one of their strongest aerial defenders and organisers, Ireland may be more vulnerable to:

• Crosses into the penalty area
• Long and direct deliveries
• Second-ball situations
• Set-piece pressure

Kosovo’s Defensive Changes

The bigger concern for Kosovo is defensive continuity.

Former captain Amir Rrahmani is no longer part of the current national-team set-up, while Florent Hadërgjonaj is also absent after announcing his departure.

Valon Berisha and Fidan Aliti have ended their international careers.

There are additional injury concerns, with Elvis Rexhbeçaj, Florent Muslija and Kreshnik Hajrizi reported unavailable.

That represents a significant amount of change in a short period and increases the responsibility on Albian Hajdari and the remaining defensive options.

Kosovo’s recent results reflect their current profile: they can create and score against strong opponents, but defensive control has not always matched their attacking quality.

Republic of Ireland Analysis

Ireland travel to Pristina with confidence but also with several important personnel problems.

The biggest absence is Nathan Collins, who has been ruled out of the four-match Nations League window with a calf injury suffered on club duty.

His absence removes more than an experienced centre-back.

Ireland lose one of their principal defensive organisers and aerial players immediately before facing Muriqi, Kosovo’s clearest physical threat.

Ireland Team Changes

• Nathan Collins: Out with a calf injury
• Jamie McGrath: Withdrawn through injury
• Harvey Vale: Withdrawn through injury
• Séamus Coleman: Not selected for this window
• Liam Kitching: First senior call-up
• Killian Phillips: Added to the squad
• Rocco Vata: Returns following a long-term injury

Further forward, Hallgrímsson still has several dangerous options.

Troy Parrott provides mobility and finishing, Chiedozie Ogbene offers direct pace and Finn Azaz can operate effectively between the lines.

Ireland’s broader 2025/26 record stands at four wins, five draws and two defeats from 11 matches, with 18 goals scored.

Their latest three results suggest a side that has become increasingly difficult to beat and more comfortable managing challenging phases of matches.

Kosovo vs Republic of Ireland Head-to-Head

There is no meaningful senior head-to-head record to analyse.

Reporting around the Nations League draw indicated that Kosovo had never previously faced the Republic of Ireland at senior international level.

Current personnel, tactical tendencies and the home-away dynamic are therefore far more useful than historical comparison.

Thursday’s contest should be treated as a fresh matchup rather than a rivalry shaped by previous meetings.

Tactical Analysis

Kosovo’s Route Through Vedat Muriqi

Muriqi is likely to be the central reference point for Kosovo.

Ireland often operate with three centre-backs, which theoretically provides numerical security.

However, Muriqi’s strength lies in forcing defenders into physical contests and creating second-ball opportunities for teammates.

Without Collins, Dara O’Shea, Jake O’Brien and Liam Scales will need to be especially disciplined.

One defender must challenge for the initial ball while the others protect the surrounding space and prevent Zhegrova or Rashica collecting knockdowns in dangerous areas.

Edon Zhegrova vs Ireland’s Left Side

Zhegrova is arguably Kosovo’s most unpredictable attacking player.

He can receive wide, drive inside and either shoot or combine around the penalty area.

If Ireland deploy Ryan Manning at wing-back, Kosovo may deliberately target the space around and behind him.

Allowing Zhegrova repeated one-against-one opportunities would significantly increase Ireland’s defensive problems.

Ireland’s Transition Threat

Kosovo’s defensive hierarchy is changing following Rrahmani’s departure, and Ireland should look to test that immediately.

Ogbene’s acceleration gives Hallgrímsson a direct counter-attacking outlet, while Parrott can move across the front line rather than remaining fixed between the centre-backs.

Ireland may therefore be most dangerous when Kosovo commit numbers forward.

A quick regain followed by an early pass towards Ogbene or Parrott could expose a defence still adapting to new leadership and communication patterns.

Midfield Second Balls

The territory around Muriqi could decide large periods of the contest.

Kosovo will want Leon Avdullahu and Lindon Emërllahu collecting loose balls after direct passes into their striker.

Ireland, meanwhile, possess energetic midfielders in Jason Knight and Jayson Molumby who are well suited to physical and transitional contests.

The team that consistently wins those second balls should spend considerably more time attacking.

Key Tactical Battles

Vedat Muriqi vs Ireland’s Centre-Backs

This is the clearest physical matchup.

Without Collins, Ireland must reorganise against a striker capable of dominating aerially and occupying defenders inside the penalty area.

Edon Zhegrova vs Ireland’s Left Side

Ireland cannot afford to repeatedly leave Zhegrova isolated in space.

His ability to cut inside could force additional defensive support and create room for Kosovo elsewhere.

Knight and Molumby vs Kosovo’s Midfield

Ireland need enough intensity in central areas to disrupt Kosovo without leaving excessive space around Muriqi.

Ogbene vs Kosovo’s Defensive Transitions

Ogbene’s pace represents Ireland’s most obvious counter-attacking route.

Kosovo’s recent personnel changes could create communication problems whenever they lose possession high up the pitch.

Kosovo Team News

• Elvis Rexhbeçaj: Reported unavailable
• Florent Muslija: Reported unavailable
• Kreshnik Hajrizi: Reported unavailable
• Vedat Muriqi: Returns after being rested in June

Amir Rrahmani, Florent Hadërgjonaj, Valon Berisha and Fidan Aliti are no longer part of the current squad picture.

Muriqi’s return is particularly important because he gives Kosovo an established penalty-box reference and changes their attacking structure.

Republic of Ireland Team News

• Nathan Collins: Out with a calf injury
• Jamie McGrath: Withdrawn
• Harvey Vale: Withdrawn
• Séamus Coleman: Not selected
• Rocco Vata: Returns following injury
• Liam Kitching: Receives first senior call-up

Predicted Line-ups

Neither starting XI has been confirmed. These projections are based on the current squads, previous usage and available team news.

Kosovo Predicted XI

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Murić; Vojvoda, Dellova, Hajdari, Gallapeni; Avdullahu, Emërllahu; Rashica, Rrudhani, Zhegrova; Muriqi.

Republic of Ireland Predicted XI

Formation: 3-4-2-1

Kelleher; O’Brien, O’Shea, Scales; Ogbene, Molumby, Knight, Manning; Azaz, Moylan; Parrott.

Ireland’s midfield is more difficult to forecast than usual because of the late withdrawals of McGrath and Vale.

Conor Coventry and Killian Phillips provide additional central options.

Key Players to Watch

Vedat Muriqi – Kosovo

Muriqi provides physical presence, aerial strength and penalty-box occupation.

His ability to win first contacts could become particularly important against an Ireland defence missing Collins.

Edon Zhegrova – Kosovo

Zhegrova is Kosovo’s principal individual creator.

He can generate shots and chances without his team needing long spells of possession.

Leon Avdullahu – Kosovo

Avdullahu connects defence and attack and could become even more important while Kosovo adjust to significant personnel changes elsewhere in the team.

Troy Parrott – Republic of Ireland

Parrott should provide Ireland’s main goal threat through his finishing and ability to move across the attacking line.

Chiedozie Ogbene – Republic of Ireland

Ogbene’s speed is Ireland’s clearest weapon in transition and could be particularly valuable when Kosovo commit players forward.

Caoimhín Kelleher – Republic of Ireland

Kelleher may play an important role under aerial pressure and in helping Ireland play through Kosovo’s press with his distribution from the back.

Key Statistics

• Kosovo’s last five matches read W-L-L-W-D.
• Kosovo scored four goals away to Slovakia in their World Cup play-off semi-final.
• Kosovo’s most recent match was a 3-0 victory over Andorra.
• Ireland recorded four wins, five draws and two defeats across 11 matches in 2025/26.
• Ireland scored 18 goals in those 11 fixtures.
• Ireland enter the window on a seven-match unbeaten run.
• Ireland’s latest three matches produced two wins and one draw.

Schedule and Fatigue

The compressed Nations League programme adds another consideration for both managers.

Kosovo travel to Austria only three days after this opening match.

Ireland face another away fixture against Israel in Debrecen on 27 September before hosting Austria on 1 October.

With four internationals packed into a short period, neither manager is likely to use an unchanged XI throughout the window.

This opening fixture, however, appears the most logical opportunity for both teams to field something close to their strongest available side.

Weather and Conditions

Conditions in Pristina should be favourable for football.

Temperatures are expected to fall by the 20:45 kick-off, with predominantly dry conditions and no major weather disruption anticipated.

The atmosphere inside the Fadil Vokrri Stadium is therefore likely to influence the contest considerably more than the weather.

Why This Match Matters

For Kosovo, this is more than simply another Nations League fixture.

It is their first match in League B and comes only months after reaching the final hurdle of World Cup qualification.

The fixture also arrives during a period of significant squad transition following the departure of several senior players.

A positive opening result would reinforce the sense that Kosovo can continue progressing despite those changes.

Ireland’s objective is different.

Hallgrímsson’s side appear to have built genuine momentum, and a difficult competitive away fixture in Pristina provides a useful measure of whether that progress is sustainable.

Kosovo vs Republic of Ireland Betting Tips

• Full-Time Result: Draw
• Double Chance: Kosovo or Draw (1X)
• Both Teams to Score: Yes
• Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Under 2.5
• Safer Goals Angle: Under 3.5
• Half-Time Prediction: Draw
• Correct Score: Kosovo 1-1 Republic of Ireland

Kosovo vs Republic of Ireland Prediction

This contest looks tighter than Kosovo’s home advantage alone might suggest.

The hosts probably possess the greater individual attacking threat through Muriqi, Rashica and Zhegrova, particularly with Collins absent from Ireland’s defence.

Kosovo’s own defensive changes cannot be ignored, however.

The departures of Rrahmani, Aliti and Hadërgjonaj reduce experience and significantly change the communication hierarchy at the back.

Ireland have meanwhile become increasingly difficult to beat.

A seven-match unbeaten sequence suggests that Hallgrímsson’s team can remain competitive even when performances are not completely convincing.

The tactical pattern could produce a relatively cautious opening period before becoming more open after half-time.

Kosovo should enjoy spells of territorial pressure with the home crowd behind them, but Ireland possess enough pace in transition to punish defensive mistakes.

Score Prediction: Kosovo 1-1 Republic of Ireland

Kosovo have enough attacking quality to create opportunities at home, particularly through Muriqi and Zhegrova.

Ireland’s defensive absences make a clean sheet more difficult to project, but their recent form suggests they are capable of remaining competitive for long periods.

At the opposite end, Kosovo’s substantial defensive changes could give Parrott and Ogbene opportunities on transitions.

Neither side appears overwhelmingly stronger, and a balanced contest with chances at both ends looks plausible.

Preferred score: Kosovo 1-1 Republic of Ireland.

Hot Stat

Republic of Ireland enter the Nations League on a seven-match unbeaten run according to Hallgrímsson.