Republic of Ireland to Face Senegal and Luxembourg for World Cup Preparation
The Republic of Ireland will play friendlies against Senegal and Luxembourg in June to prepare for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Heimir Hallgrimsson stresses the importance of these matches for player development and competitive readiness. The dates, particularly for the match against Senegal, are yet to be confirmed, with the game against Luxembourg scheduled for June 10.
The Republic of Ireland’s national football team will play friendly matches against Senegal and Luxembourg this June, as announced by the Football Association. Coach Heimir Hallgrimsson’s squad will first face Bulgaria in a two-legged Nations League play-off, shifting focus thereafter to their preparations for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
The match against Senegal, currently ranked 17th in the FIFA world rankings, will take place at the Aviva Stadium, although the specific date remains to be confirmed. Following this, the team will head to Luxembourg for their second friendly on June 10, which will serve as the final warm-up before commencing their qualifying matches against Hungary, Armenia, and either Portugal or Denmark.
Heimir Hallgrimsson expressed his satisfaction with the arrangements, stating, “I am 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 which starts in September.” He added that the match against Luxembourg will provide a different challenge away from home, making it vital before the World Cup campaign begins.
In conclusion, the Republic of Ireland’s friendly matches against Senegal and Luxembourg are strategic preparations for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. Heimir Hallgrimsson emphasizes the importance of these games for player development and competitive readiness. The matches will ultimately provide essential experience as the team transitions into the qualifying rounds in September.
Original Source: www.bbc.co.uk
