IRELAND get their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign underway this weekend as they travel to the Victoria Stadium to take on Gibraltar.
Mick McCarthy is back in the dugout for his second spell in charge of the Boys in Green and will be hoping to lead Ireland to a European Championship for the first time under his management.
Ireland get their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign underway this weekend
Here’s everything you need to know about Ireland make it to next year’s Championships:
How can Ireland qualify from Group D?
The most straightforward way for Ireland to ensure their place at next summer’s tournament is through the qualifying group.
Ireland have been drawn alongside Switzerland, Denmark, Georgia and Gibraltar in Group D.
Ireland have been drawn alongside Switzerland, Denmark, Georgia and Gibraltar
The system works in a traditional qualification format with the top two teams in each group earning automatic qualification for Euro 2020.
You can follow Ireland’s progress in Group D with our guide to the fixtures and results right here.
Can Ireland qualify for Euro 2020 via the Uefa Nations League?
If Ireland fail to finish in the top two in Group D there is an alternative way to earn qualification for Euro 2020: The Uefa Nations League.
Uefa’s new competition has four places at Euro 2020 up for grabs with a place allocated to each tier and decided via a play-off.
Despite a disastrous campaign last year that saw Ireland fail to win a game against Denmark or Wales and earn relegation to the third tier of the competition, The Boys in Green are as good as guaranteed a play-off place if they fail to qualify automatically.
The play-offs are determined by Nations League ranking with group winners assured of a play-off place if they fail to make Euro 2020 through the qualifiers.
That is good for teams in Leagues C and D — all third, fourth and fifth seeds, who would struggle to qualify automatically.
But there are also eight play-off places open to countries in Leagues A and B when it is expected the majority will qualify automatically.
Ireland are ranked 23rd by Uefa, meaning the only way to fail to get a play-off place — if needed — would be if eight sides ranked higher also do not qualify.
For that to happen, six teams from Leagues C and D would have to advance automatically.
The play-offs take place in March 2020 with a one-off semi-final and final, also over one leg, with lots drawn to determine the home team.
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