[ad_1]
Qatar, host of the World Cup, has been added to Ireland’s qualifying group for the 2022 final.
Atar, who have automatically qualified as hosts, will play Ireland and other countries in Group A in matches to help them prepare for the final, but those matches will not count towards qualification.
The Middle Eastern nation will have to play its games ‘at home’ against other nations, including Ireland, at a location in Europe.
Having planned to be in a five-team group, Stephen Kenny’s team will now face a triple header in March, away to Serbia and at home to Luxembourg with a third home game against Qatar.
Then there is a hiatus in the campaign until September with another triple header: away to Portugal and home games against Azerbaijan and Serbia.
In October, the Republic will go to Baku to play Azerbaijan, followed by another game against Qatar, at a venue in Europe, and the final games in November have Kenny at a disadvantage to play at home to Portugal and out of Luxembourg.
“The FAI will start planning these World Cup games with their Group A opponents immediately now that the matches are known, but there will be no details of the tickets available for some time as the Associations await updates on the return of fans in the COVID-19 era, “said an FAI statement.
Ireland’s qualifying matches for the 2022 World Cup:
Wednesday March 24, 2021: Serbia (away)
Saturday March 27: Luxembourg (home)
Tuesday March 30: Qatar (local – non-competitive)
Wednesday 1 September: Portugal (away)
Saturday September 4: Azerbaijan (home)
Tuesday September 7: Serbia (home)
Saturday October 9: Azerbaijan (away)
Tuesday October 12: Qatar (away – non-competitive)
Thursday, November 11: Portugal (home)
Sunday November 14: Luxembourg (away)
Online editors
[ad_2]