Republic of Ireland: ‘Always tough’ to leave out Seamus Coleman says Heimir Hallgrimsson

Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson said it would set the “wrong example” to select Seamus Coleman for World Cup qualifiers against Hungary and Armenia next month given his lack of recent games for Everton.

The 36-year-old defender missed the June friendlies with Senegal and Luxembourg through injury and has been an unused substitute in both of his club’s Premier League games this season.

While he could make his return for the Toffees against Mansfield Town in the League Cup on Wednesday, Hallgrimsson has opted against an international recall for his squad captain who has played just twice since 26 December.

“Once he starts playing of course we really want to have him in the squad. It would just be a wrong example picking a player that hasn’t played for almost a year,” said the former Iceland boss.

“It’s always tough to leave Seamus out, no matter what. There’s not many here with the experience he has.

“We really wanted to include him and hopefully next camp he will be in the squad. You would always want a player with his quality and experience to be in the squad.”

Ipswich Town’s Chiedozie Ogbene – who has not featured for his country since October 2024 because of an Achilles tendon injury – does return to the 23-man pool.

The 28-year-old is part of an eight-strong group of forwards that also includes club-mates Sammie Szmodics and Kasey McAteer, as well as Evan Ferguson – who made his Serie A debut in Roma’s 1-0 win over Bologna on Saturday.

Preston North End’s Robbie Brady and Southampton midfielder Will Smallbone are both absent through injury.

Uncapped Stoke City defender Bosun Lawal has kept his place in the squad, having first been called up for the draw with Luxembourg.

The Republic of Ireland face Hungary in Dublin on 6 September before a trip to Armenia three days later.

The fixtures mark the start of the side’s 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, with Portugal the other team in their group.