Teen Star Melia Earns First Ireland Call-Up

Mason Melia, a promising teenage striker for Tottenham Hotspur, has been selected for the Republic of Ireland's senior squad for the first time. He joins the team for upcoming friendly matches against Qatar and Canada. Melia's journey to this point includes a notable spell with St Patrick's Athletic, where he netted 21 goals before his transfer to Spurs in January for £1.6m.

At the under-21 level, the 18-year-old has already made an impact, scoring three goals in six appearances for the Republic of Ireland. The squad also features several players from the League of Ireland, including Ed McGinty, Adam Brennan, Dawson Devoy, and Conor Brann, marking their first senior call-ups.

The Ireland squad, managed by Heimir Hallgrimsson, will face Qatar at the Aviva Stadium on Thursday, May 26, 2026. Following this, they will travel to Montreal to play against Canada, one of the co-hosts of the World Cup, on Saturday, June 6, 2026. Veteran defender Seamus Coleman is also included, potentially for his final international appearances as he considers his future.