The Republic of Ireland will play friendlies against Senegal and Luxembourg this June to prepare for World Cup qualifiers. The matches follow a Nations League playoff against Bulgaria and serve as critical tests ahead of the qualification campaign.
The Republic of Ireland has officially announced two summer friendlies against Senegal and Luxembourg. Heimir Hallgrimsson’s team will first face Bulgaria in a two-legged Nations League playoff before turning their focus to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The match against Senegal, currently ranked 17th by FIFA, will take place at the Aviva Stadium, with a specific date in June yet to be determined.
Following the match against Senegal, the Republic of Ireland will play Luxembourg on June 10. This encounter will serve as the team’s final preparation before beginning their qualification campaign for the World Cup, which includes matches against Hungary, Armenia, and either Portugal or Denmark.
Heimir Hallgrimsson expressed enthusiasm about securing high-quality opponents such as Senegal, stating that facing top-tier international teams is pivotal for player development and essential for their World Cup preparations. He noted that the match against Luxembourg would provide a different challenge, particularly as it will be an away game and the last before the commencement of their World Cup qualifying matches.
In summary, the Republic of Ireland’s summer friendlies against Senegal and Luxembourg aim to strengthen the team’s preparation for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. With a commitment to facing strong competition, these matches are intended to aid in player development and strategic readiness for critical upcoming games.
Original Source: www.bbc.co.uk
