£15m star drops Southampton claim ahead of 2026 World Cup qualifiers

£15m star signing Finn Azaz has dropped a Southampton claim ahead of Ireland’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers set to commence on the weekend.

A few days ago, Southampton got 3 player nominations in an early predicted Championship Team of the Season lineup. Ryan Manning, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Leo Scienza were those starters who have had a tremendous Championship campaign in the ongoing 2025/26 season.

Manning and Harwood-Bellis have turned a corner under Tonda Eckert for the better. Same way, Saints captain Jack Stephens has been flawless this year after being written off by Southampton fans in 2025.

£15m signing Finn Azaz’s debut Southampton season

Still, there is one Southampton player who remains ever consistent in the side, rarely misses games due to injuries, steps up in multiple roles whenever needed but doesn’t get his due credit often.

He is £15m bargain signing Finn Azaz. Honestly, it’s a huge fee for a Championship transfer but that pales in comparison with Azaz’s performances so far.

Finn Azaz operated as a false nine in Tonda Eckert’s early days and shared the goalscoring load alongside Adam Armstrong. Then, he slotted in his natural No.10 position and nowadays, also covers the left flank in Leo Scienza’s absence.

The majority of Southampton fans will label Daniel Peretz as the sole reason for stepping inside the top 6. Well, Azaz was the unsung hero again that day with his well taken top-corner finish earning the three points against Norwich City.

Finn Azaz drops Southampton claim ahead of World Cup qualifiers

Apart from his regular attacking duties, Finn Azaz is a dressing room leader for both club and country. The 25-year-old has currently linked up with his Ireland national team with the sole objective of making it to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

For those Southampton fans who missed it, Azaz and compatriot Saints fullback Ryan Manning are eyeing a career-first World Cup during the two-weeks long international break. Ireland has left the job at the qualifying path so far, where they will have to first beat Czech Republic away in 2 days time.

If Azaz, Manning and co are successful they will then get the chance to lock horns against either of Denmark or North Macedonia for an eventual 2026 World Cup berth. Now, Finn Azaz has touched down on his Ireland responsibilities by making a Southampton claim in the process.

In his own words, the Daily Echo quoted Finn Azaz saying: “I will go to represent Ireland with the same mentality and consistency that I’ve had this season [at Saints].”

Similarities between Southampton and Ireland national team

Azaz will no doubt leave it his all for Ireland in the coming days. But the mentality part he mentioned is quite interesting to note. In fact, Southampton and the Ireland national team have had a similar kind of campaign till now.

Southampton were nobody’s promotion favourites until two month ago in the season. Similarly, Ireland also had a rough start to their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers as they only managed one point from their first three group games. But then, Ireland took off in the final 3 matches just like Southampton stepped up in February and March.

Finn Azaz’s Irish team stunned Portugal and Hungary in the span of 3 days to book their ticket for the upcoming qualifiers. Again, the job is far from done. Southampton have to get over the line as a top 6 Championship club after 7 remaining matchdays including a tough away day at Wrexham and an important Ipswich Town clash.

Ireland have a similar equation on their hands vs Czech Republic and one of Denmark and North Macedonia. Hopefully, all goes well for Finn Azaz and both Southampton as well as Ireland in the closing phase of the season.