The Republic of Ireland is set to face Senegal in a friendly match at the Aviva Stadium on Friday night, marking the first of two friendly encounters for both teams as they prepare for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers later this year.
The Irish team, led by head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson since July 2024, has been striving to break a lengthy drought of qualifying for major tournaments. They have not participated in any of the last four major tournaments, which is their longest absence since between 2004 and 2010. Hallgrimsson’s tenure has seen a mixed bag of results, but he has notably secured four victories in the last six matches, following initial defeats to England and Greece. Their recent form includes two back-to-back 2-1 wins against Bulgaria in the Nations League, enabling them to remain in League B.
Meanwhile, Senegal arrives in Dublin riding a wave of success with an impressive 14-match unbeaten streak across all competitions, including 10 wins. Their last defeat occurred in the round of 16 at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in January 2024, where they lost to Ivory Coast on penalties. Currently, they sit second in their CAF World Cup qualifying group with 12 points, just behind leaders DR Congo.
Team news indicates that Hallgrimsson has included four uncapped players in his squad, with the hope that John Joe Patrick Finn, Josh Keeley, Killian Phillips, and Josh Honohan can make their debut. Although captain Seamus Coleman has returned, he is a doubt for the match due to a thigh injury. On the attacking front, Adam Idah and Troy Parrott are lined up to potentially lead Ireland’s offense.
Senegal, however, will be without star forward Sadio Mane, who has not been included in the squad for personal reasons. The team will rely on key players like Idrissa Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye to carry the load.
Given Senegal’s superior squad depth and their sustained unbeaten run, predictions favor an away victory for the Lions of Teranga. However, the Republic of Ireland’s recent improvements under Hallgrimsson could lead to an interesting contest.
As both teams prepare for this friendly, they will be looking to establish confidence and momentum heading into their respective World Cup qualifying campaigns. Ireland aims to capitalize on their recent form, while Senegal will be determined to extend their unbeaten streak. This matchup promises to showcase young talents and seasoned veterans, highlighting the evolving landscape of international football leading up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.