Coleman future 'for him to decide' - Hallgrimsson

Republic of Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson says he is hopeful Seamus Coleman will return for the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, but insists his future is "for him to decide".

Everton defender Coleman, 36, pulled out of the squad for next month's friendlies against Senegal and Luxembourg after sustaining a thigh injury.

Coleman managed just five Premier League appearances during the 2024-25 season, but Hallgrimsson believes his captain has a role to play with the national team as they bid to qualify for their first World Cup since 2002.

"He is a leader in this squad and you cannot have his experience in many players," the Icelander told reporters on Thursday.

"His experience, his leadership skills are one thing, but his quality as a player is another thing as well.

"He's been playing at the highest level for such a long time, so it's a shame for me - and, of course the national team - not to have him around. But hopefully there will come another time for him, hopefully it will be just the off-season and he'll come fit and flying."

While Coleman's Everton contract is due to expire this summer, Toffees boss David Moyes has outlined his intention to keep the full-back.

"I know he's going to be at Everton in whatever role, maybe a little bit more leadership role, but it's for him to answer if he's going to continue playing or not," added Hallgrimsson.

"It's his decision, but I'm hoping - and I know the Evertonians are hoping - he will continue playing."

When asked if Coleman - who has 72 Republic of Ireland caps - might announce his international retirement, Hallgrimsson said: "That's for him to decide, not me."

Hallgrimsson will also be without Sammie Szmodics for the Senegal and Luxembourg games on 6 and 10 June because of an ankle injury.

Szmodics made a late appearance off the bench in Ipswich's defeat by West Ham last weekend as he returned from a three-month absence following ankle surgery.

"We knew that he was injured, we were hopeful that he would be ready," Hallgrimsson said of Szmodics, who has been replaced by Brighton's Andrew Moran.

"He played, I think, 10, 15 minutes in the last game for Ipswich, but the ankle got swollen afterwards, so we decided it's not worth the risk to have him in our squad now.

"Hopefully he will have a good pre-season and come in flying in September."

The Republic of Ireland begin their World Cup qualifying campaign in September with games against Hungary and Armenia, with Portugal making up the four-team group.

And Hallgrimsson insists he is happy to have another window to assess his squad before ramping up preparations for the qualifiers.

"The June window has not been successful for Ireland in the past, it's been a tricky window, not playing for a month and then coming in to the national team camp for a game that's maybe on a higher level than you play on a regular basis.

"You are never 100 per cent physically fit or mentally focused after a holiday period, so yes, I am happy we are not playing World Cup group stage at this time."

Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Max O'Leary (Bristol City), Josh Keeley (Tottenham).

Defenders: Matt Doherty (Wolves), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Dara O'Shea (Ipswich Town), Jake O'Brien (Everton), Andrew Omobamidele (Nottingham Forest), Liam Scales (Celtic), Robbie Brady (Preston).

Midfielders: Jason Knight (Bristol City), Killian Phillips (St Mirren), Will Smallbone (Southampton), Jack Taylor (Ipswich), John Joe Patrick Finn (Reims), Andrew Moran (Brighton).

Forwards: Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar), Evan Ferguson (Brighton), Adam Idah (Celtic), Kasey McAteer (Leicester City), Festy Ebosele (Istanbul Basaksehir), Ryan Manning (Southampton).