The Republic of Ireland will take on Senegal for the first time this summer, followed by an away fixture against Luxembourg, as part of their preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Heimir HallgrĂmsson’s side will first welcome Senegal, currently ranked 17th in the FIFA world rankings, at the Aviva Stadium. The fixture date has yet to be confirmed but will take place before the match against Luxembourg on Tuesday, 10 June, with kick-off scheduled for 7:45 pm.
Historic First Meeting with Senegal
Senegal, the 2021 African Cup of Nations champions, will be the first African team to play at the Aviva Stadium. The West African side also reached the round of 16 at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, demonstrating their strength on the international stage.
The last time Ireland faced an African team on home soil was in 2010, when they defeated Algeria 3-0 at the RDS Arena. A year earlier, they secured a 1-0 win against South Africa in Thomond Park.
Ireland manager HallgrĂmsson expressed his excitement about facing high-caliber opposition.
“I’m delighted the association has been able to secure top-quality opposition in Senegal. Testing ourselves against a top-tier international side is crucial for the players’ development but also for our preparations for World Cup qualifying in September,” he said.
Final Warm-Up Against Luxembourg
Following the Senegal clash, Ireland will travel to Luxembourg for their final warm-up match before World Cup qualification begins.
Ireland last faced Luxembourg in 2021, securing a 3-0 victory with goals from Shane Duffy, Chiedozie Ogbene, and Callum Robinson.
HallgrĂmsson emphasized the importance of both matches, stating:
“It is also a fixture that should excite the players and supporters alike, playing against players from top leagues around the world. We will then travel to Luxembourg, a different type of test away from home, and crucially, our final game before the World Cup campaign starts. Both matches are equally important in our preparations, and we look forward to an important window.”
The two friendlies will provide Ireland with a valuable opportunity to fine-tune their squad ahead of the World Cup qualifiers in September.
