It looks like Ireland will have a new goalkeeper for this campaign.
The most notable change is on the goalkeeping front, with Darren Randolph not making the cut, after both Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher and Bournemouth’s Mark Travers impressed on their debuts in June.
Randolph has been Ireland’s number one since taking the place from Shay Given in 2015.
Other notable names that didn’t make the list are James McCarthy who just recently made his debut for Celtic, and Robbie Brady who is currently without a club.
Ireland travel to Faro to take on Portugal at the Estádio Algarve on Wednesday, 1 September before returning home to take on Azerbaijan on Saturday, 4 September and Serbia on Tuesday, 7 September 7 at the Aviva Stadium.
West Bromwich Albion striker Callum Robinson tested positive for Covid-19 this week, and is currently in isolation, so will not be travelling with the squad.
25-man squad named for FIFA 2022 World Cup Qualifiers 👌@BurnleyOfficial defender Nathan Collins receives his first senior call-up as Aaron Connolly and Jeff Hendrick return to the squad 🙌
01/09 | 🇵🇹🆚🇮🇪
04/09 | 🇮🇪🆚🇦🇿
07/09 | 🇮🇪🆚🇷🇸#COYBIG | #WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/sSFU5wHMGy— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) August 26, 2021
Enda Stevens, Callum O’Dowda, Jason Knight and Chiedozie Ogbene are all currently injured, thus unable for selection.
Brighton and Hove Albion striker Aaron Connolly and Newcastle United midfielder Jeff Hendrick return to the squad having missed the summer international friendlies, while Nathan Collins gets his first ever call up to the international team having impressed for his club Burnley,
Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Gavin Bazunu (Portsmouth, on loan from Manchester City), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth)
Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Shane Duffy (Brighton and Hove Albion), John Egan (Sheffield United), Dara O’Shea (West Bromwich Albion), Ryan Manning (Swansea City), James McClean (Wigan Athletic), Andrew Omobamidele (Norwich City), Nathan Collins (Burnley).
Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Anderlecht), Jeff Hendrick (Newcastle United), Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), Harry Arter (Nottingham Forest), Jamie McGrath (St. Mirren), Jayson Molumby (Brighton and Hove Albion)
Attackers: Aaron Connolly (Brighton and Hove Albion), James Collins (Cardiff City), Daryl Horgan (Wycombe Wanderers), Adam Idah (Norwich City), Troy Parrott (MK Dons, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur), Shane Long (Southampton), Ronan Curtis (Portsmouth).
