Coleman future ‘for him to decide’ – Hallgrimsson

Heimir Hallgrimsson, the head of the Republic of Ireland, says he is hopeful Seamus Coleman will make it to the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, but that he must make a decision about his future.

Coleman, 36, a thigh injury, made him unavailable for the squad’s friendlies against Senegal and Luxembourg next month.

Hallgrimsson believes his captain has a role to play in the nation’s bid to win their first World Cup since 2002 despite Coleman making just five Premier League appearances between the years 2024 and 2025.

The Icelander told reporters on Thursday, “You can’t have his experience in many players,” and he is a leader in this squad.

His leadership prowess and experience are two things, but his player quality is another.

It’s unfortunate for me and, of course, the national team, to not have him around because he’s been playing at the highest level for so long. But he’ll probably find a second chance, and that’s probably just the off-season, where he’ll be fit and flie.

Coleman’s contract with Everton is set to expire this summer, but Toffees boss David Moyes has stated his desire to keep the full-back.

Hallgrimsson added, “I know he’s going to be at Everton in whatever role, maybe a little more leadership role, but it’s up to him to decide whether or not he wants to play.”

He will decide, but I’m hoping he will continue playing, as the Evertonians are hoping.

Sammie Szmodics will miss the Senegal and Luxembourg games on June 6 and 10 due to an ankle injury.

Szmodics returned from a three-month absence following ankle surgery and made a late appearance off the bench in Ipswich’s defeat by West Ham last weekend.

We were anticipating that he would be ready, Hammergrimsson said of Szmodics, who has been taken over by Brighton’s Andrew Moran.

He played, I believe, 10 to 15 minutes of his final Ipswich game, but after that, his ankle grew swollen, so we decided it’s no longer worth it.

With matches against Hungary and Armenia and Portugal joining the four-team group, the Republic of Ireland kicks off their World Cup qualifying campaign in September.

Hallgrimsson insists that he is happy to have another opportunity to evaluate his squad before beginning the qualifiers.

“It’s been a difficult window for Ireland in the past because it didn’t play for a month and then went to the national team camp to play a game that might not be played on a regular basis.”

Matt Doherty (Wolves), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Dara O’Shea (Ipswich Town), Jake O’Brien (Everton), Andrew Omobamidele (Nottingham Forest), Liam Scales (Celtic), and Robbie Brady (Preston) are the defenders.

Jason Knight (Bristol City), Killian Phillips (St Mirren), Will Smallbone (Southampton), Jack Taylor (Ipswich), John Joe Patrick Finn (Reims), and Andrew Moran (Brighton) are the midfielders.