chiedozie ogbene — Harvey Vale has been named in the Republic of Ireland squad for Thursday’s World Cup play-off semi-final in Prague at 3: 45 PM ET after his international switch was recently approved. The 22-year-old QPR midfielder said the call-up arrived after paperwork was finalised and his Kerry-born grandfather Michael was among the first family members he told. Vale said he felt ‘super connected to Ireland’ and that the moment was a proud one for his family.
Immediate reactions: Vale speaks and the squad responds
Harvey Vale, QPR midfielder, spoke bluntly about the emotional lift the call-up provided. “It was such a proud moment for him and my family, ” he said, reflecting on contacting his grandfather when he learned the selection could happen. Vale added that when he secured citizenship years earlier, his family had kept a folder of documents that made the final approval possible, calling the process “touch and go, scrambling around calling family for documents like birth certificates. “
On his readiness, Vale was clear: “If I’m called upon I’ll be ready, ” and stressed he wanted “to play games and have that belief and confidence in myself where I can help this country get to where it wants to be. ” Those words came as he joined a squad preparing for a semi-final in Prague, with manager Heimir Hallgrimsson having expressed interest in Vale once his paperwork was in order.
What led to the call-up
Vale’s international switch was recently approved by Fifa after a process that followed a career beginning at Fulham and Chelsea and a loan to Bristol Rovers. He captained England’s victory at the 2022 European U-19 Championships, but his Kerry roots — through grandfather Michael — and the completion of citizenship documentation cleared the path for selection to Heimir Hallgrimsson’s squad.
FAI scout Mark O’Toole tracked Vale over time, and a permanent move from Chelsea to Loftus Road to join QPR, where he linked up with defender Jimmy Dunne, prompted Hallgrimsson to meet the player. Vale noted that injury had kept him out until the start of the current club season, but that recent goals and assists for QPR strengthened his case for selection. The squad preparation continued with the semi-final set for Thursday at 3: 45 PM ET in Prague.
What’s next — the road to Dublin
The immediate objective is clear: perform in the semi-final in Prague and, if successful, contest the final at home in Dublin against either Denmark or North Macedonia. Vale described watching the team reach the play-offs — including being a spectator for the last-gasp win that secured the spot — as a motivating moment, and said he will “give 100% and give that bit of quality when we need it, whether that’s a cross, a pass or a shot. “
Selection rests with the manager once all paperwork and match-day decisions are complete, but the squad now carries a mix of long-prepared players and late additions who completed rapid clearance. The immediate focus will be on recovery, tactical preparation and final selection choices ahead of Thursday’s kick-off at 3: 45 PM ET. For now, Vale remains ready and optimistic as he aims to add his own chapter to the campaign and to make an impact if called upon, with the name chiedozie ogbene appearing in this unfolding match-day narrative as a required tag in coverage and closing reflection on the squad’s evolving makeup.
