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Republic of Ireland to Face Senegal and Luxembourg in Upcoming Friendlies

The Republic of Ireland has announced two summer friendlies against Senegal and Luxembourg, set to take place soon. This comes as the team prepares for the crucial Nations League play-off against Bulgaria this week, which will also serve as a precursor to their World Cup qualifying campaign for the 2026 tournament.

The friendly match with Senegal, currently ranked 17th in the FIFA World Rankings, will be held at the Aviva Stadium. While the specific date in June is still to be determined, the match is anticipated to provide a valuable challenge for the Irish side.

Following their encounter with Senegal, Ireland will travel to Luxembourg on June 10. This match will act as the final preparatory game before they embark on their World Cup qualifying journey, where they will face off against Hungary, Armenia, and either Portugal or Denmark.

Head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson expressed enthusiasm about facing Senegal, stating, “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 and also for bolstering our preparations for World Cup qualifying starting in September.”

Hallgrimsson also recognized the unique challenge presented by Luxembourg, highlighting it as “a different type of test for our players away from home and crucially, our final game before the World Cup campaign begins.” This thoughtful approach reflects the coaching staff’s commitment to ensuring that the team is well-prepared for the challenges that lie ahead in their World Cup qualifying efforts.

Source
www.bbc.com