Republic of Ireland will face Senegal at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium this Friday, 6 June, with kickoff scheduled for 7:45 p.m. local time (GMT+1).
The match marks the first-ever full international meeting between the two nations.
The encounter is part of each side’s preparations for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Both Ireland and Senegal are seeking to sharpen their squads in advance, building cohesion and testing tactical options.
Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson has described the fixture as an ideal opportunity to fine-tune his side against strong opposition.
With qualifiers looming next against Hungary and Armenia, along with a tough Portugal fixture in UEFA Group F, this friendly is expected to mirror the intensity of real competitive matches.
Ireland’s squad is undergoing some adjustments, with captain Seamus Coleman sidelined and forward Troy Parrott missing training due to illness.
Hallgrímsson remains optimistic about Parrott’s fitness ahead of the clash.
Alongside them, several uncapped players—including goalkeepers Max O’Leary and Josh Keeley, defender Josh Honohan, and midfielders John Joe Patrick Finn and Killian Phillips—are in the mix, allowing the coach to evaluate new talent in a high-quality environment.
Senegal arrives in Dublin on a 14-match unbeaten run and sits second in their CAF qualifying group.
Although star forward Sadio Mané will be absent, manager Pape Thiaw has a strong squad featuring Premier League talents such as Ismaïla Sarr, Nicolas Jackson, Iliman Ndiaye, Idrissa Gana Guèye, Édouard Mendy, and Kalidou Koulibaly.
The team’s form and individual quality make them clear favourites in betting markets.
Broadcast coverage in Ireland will begin on RTÉ2 at 7:00 p.m., with live streaming available via the RTÉ player.
In the Middle East and North Africa, beIN Sports MENA is expected to cover the match.
While this fixture counts as a friendly, both teams are treating it with near-full competitive intent.
It serves as a crucial barometer for assessing squad depth, tactical cohesion and readiness for the official qualifiers on the horizon.
