DUBLIN — Newcastle United defender Alex Murphy has received his first senior call-up to the Republic of Ireland national team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. He was named to the squad for upcoming international fixtures against Qatar and Canada, with a potential place in the final World Cup roster on the line.
Murphy, who was born in Galway, has represented Ireland 12 times at the under-21 level. His inclusion in the senior squad follows a breakthrough moment in his club career, where he made his first competitive start for Newcastle United in a Champions League match against Qarabağ FK at St James’ Park in February. The match ended in a victory for Newcastle.
The Republic of Ireland will open its series of friendlies with a home match against Qatar at Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Thursday, May 28. The team will then travel to North America for a contest against Canada at Saputo Stadium in Montreal on Saturday, June 6. These matches serve as preparation for the final stages of World Cup qualifying.
Prior to this senior call-up, Murphy had been active in Ireland’s youth setup. He previously attended a Republic of Ireland U21 training session at the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) Headquarters in Abbotstown, Dublin, as part of his development pathway through the national team ranks.
Murphy’s senior call-up comes as Ireland evaluates defensive options ahead of crucial qualifying matches later this year. His performance in Newcastle’s Champions League campaign, particularly in February’s win over Qarabağ FK, drew attention from national team selectors. The FAI confirmed his inclusion in the 26-player squad announced this week for the May and June fixtures.