Former England U19 captain Vale in Republic of Ireland squad
Former England Under-19 captain Harvey Vale has been called up to the Republic of Ireland squad for next week's World Cup play-off semi-final against the Czech Republic. The 22-year-old Queens Park Rangers midfielder, who started his senior career at Chelsea, represented England up to under-20 level and captained their European Under-19 Championship triumph in 2022. Vale, who holds an Irish passport, earns an immediate call-up after his allegiance switch was confirmed by Fifa last week.
"I talked to him over a year ago," said Republic of Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimssom, who revealed during his news conference that he has signed a contract extension until 2028. "He expressed a desire to play for Ireland. He was injured then so we have been watching him.
His development at Queens Park has been growing and it's a perfect time to bring him into the squad. "Good player, good person, hard-working guy, creator of chances and scoring goals, so I'm looking forward to working with Harvey. " Hallgrimsson has also recalled veteran Preston wideman Robbie Brady in his 25-man panel after he missed the qualifying campaign with a calf injury.
With key midfielder Josh Cullen injured, midfielder Alan Browne - who has impressed on loan for Middlesbrough from Sunderland - is included and could win his first cap since 2024. Sammie Szmodics also returns after missing most of the qualifying campaign, while there is a call-up for uncapped Luton Town goalkeeper Josh Keeley. Having salvaged their qualifying campaign with dramatic wins over Portugal and Hungary, the Republic of Ireland - who last qualified for the World Cup in 2002 - face the Czech Republic in Prague on 26 March (19:45 GMT).
Victory for Hallgrimsson's side would set up a play-off final at home to Denmark or North Macedonia on 31 March. Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Brentford), Mark Travers (Everton), Josh Keeley (Luton) Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Jimmy Dunne (QPR), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Dara O'Shea (Ipswich), Jake O'Brien (Everton), John Egan (Hull City), James Abankwah (Watford), Liam Scales (Celtic), Robbie Brady (Preston), Ryan Manning (Southampton) Midfielders: Jayson Molumby (West Brom), Bosun Lawal (Stoke), Jack Taylor (Ipswich), Alan Browne (Middlesbrough, on loan from Sunderland), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Finn Azaz (Southampton), Harvey Vale (QPR) Forwards: Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar), Adam Idah (Swansea City), Johnny Kenny (Bolton, on loan from Ipswich), Chiedozie Ogbene (Sheffield United, on loan from Ipswich), Sammie Szmodics (Derby, on loan from Ipswich) After scoring a double against Portugal, Troy Parrott's hat-trick in the 3-2 win over Hungary sealed the Republic of Ireland's place in the play-offs In addition to Vale and Keeley, uncapped Watford defender James Abankwah has been included to strengthen Hallgrimsson's defensive options as Liam Scales is suspended for the Czech Republic game. Stoke City midfielder Bosun Lawal will also hope to earn his first senior cap after making 12 appearances for the Republic of Ireland Under-21 side.