Owen Elding is in line for a long-awaited Republic of Ireland debut after receiving his first official senior call-up for the start of the Nations League campaign. The Hibernian striker, 20, had previously been involved with Heimir Hallgrimsson’s squad for friendlies against Qatar and Canada in May and June, but only as a training player.
Elding was unable to feature in those games because he was still waiting for Irish citizenship to be granted. Born in England, he moved to the Republic of Ireland at the age of six when his father, Anthony, signed for Sligo Rovers, and he qualifies on residency grounds. He began the citizenship application last year, but the process was held up when fuel protests in the Republic of Ireland in April caused the cancellation of a mandatory ceremony to receive his Irish passport. With the passport now in hand, he can be considered for selection.
The call-up follows a rise through the Irish game. Elding came through Sligo Rovers’ academy and, like his father, played for the club. He made his debut as a 17-year-old in October 2023 and enjoyed a breakout 2025 season in the Irish Premier Division, scoring 16 goals and providing five assists while winning the PFAI Young Player of the Year award. His form drew interest from across the Irish Sea, and Scottish Premiership side Hibernian signed him in January this year on a four-and-a-half-year deal.
Since moving to Scotland, Elding has scored six goals in 22 games, including three in nine appearances this season. His first taste of the senior international set-up came in the summer, even though he could not play, and he said in August that the experience had been significant. “Definitely getting that experience with the first-team international set-up was massive,” he said. “Obviously I couldn’t play the game but it was just a chance for me to go in and show the staff and everyone what I could do. Just being around the boys for the camp and seeing what it’s like is something I want to be a part of.”
Hallgrimsson has now included him for a 12-day stretch featuring games against Kosovo and Austria either side of a double-header against Israel. Elding’s involvement may be limited as he works his way back to full fitness after a recent injury and competes with in-form and established forwards Troy Parrott, Adam Idah and Tom Cannon. The Republic of Ireland manager is nonetheless excited by his potential. “He really impressed us with his attitude and his character and how he presented himself as a player,” Hallgrimsson said. “He has been struggling with injury, he’s been coming back, but you can see the quality this kid has.”
That quality, and the resolution of his passport issue, means Elding is finally in a position to push for his first Republic of Ireland cap in the extended four-game window.