Hallgrimsson content with Republic of Ireland's group
Heimir Hallgrimsson indicated he doesn't have a preference in terms of whether Portugal or Denmark end up in Group F as the top seeds
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Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson believes the 2026 World Cup draw was relatively "good for us" after his side ended up in a four-team group alongside either Portugal or Denmark, Hungary and Armenia.
"I think it's a group that definitely teams will take points from each other, so looking at it, I don't think there will be a runaway winner which makes it more possible to qualify," the Ireland boss told RTE Sport.
"Kind of neutral, could have been worse, could have been better."
Only the Group F winners will be guaranteed a place in USA, Canada and Mexico with the runners-up going forward to a 16-team play-off series from which four teams will qualify for the World Cup finals.
The four-team group means that Ireland's World Cup campaign will not begin until next September.
Hallgrimsson happy with four-team group
Hallgrimsson suggested he didn't have a preference in terms of whether Portugal or Denmark win their Uefa Nations League play-off in March to secure the Group F berth alongside the Irish, Hungary and Armenia.
"Both these teams play similar types of football. Both possession teams, creative players, really good on the ball both teams.
"Portugal has better individuals, technically better individuals but I think Denmark has a really good collective team. In Scandinavia, they are the best, in regards to technique etc, pressing."
The Republic of Ireland manager indicated that the condensed period of autumn qualifiers as opposed to beginning the campaign in June was to his preference.
"The most important thing for us was to be in a group of four teams playing this September-October-November window. It comes quick. It finishes in three months. So hopefully, everybody will be fit and ready.
"Now we know who we are playing, we can try to find opponents in June who will be similar to the ones we are playing."
The Nations League defeat by Armenia in June 2022 was one of most ignominious results of Stephen Kenny's unsuccessful reign as Republic of Ireland boss
The 1-0 Nations League defeat by Armenia in June 2022 was one of the Ireland team's most ignominious defeats during the reign of previous manager Stephen Kenny.
"It's maybe a positive for us that we lost," said Hallgrimsson about the prospect of facing a side he described as "tricky opponents".
Armenia are exactly 40 places below the 60th-rated Republic of Ireland in the Fifa rankings, with Hungary currently in 30th spot.
"They (Armenia) are seeded below us but I don't think any of the players would underestimate this team
"But if we are going to qualify, we need six points against Armenia."
Republic of Ireland World Cup qualifying fixtures
Saturday 6 September - Republic of Ireland v Hungary
Tuesday 9 September - Armenia v Republic of Ireland
Saturday 11 October - Portugal/Denmark v Republic of Ireland
Tuesday 14 October - Republic of Ireland v Armenia
Thursday 13 November - Republic of Ireland v Portugal/Denmark
Sunday 16 November - Hungary v Republic of Ireland