The country at the head of the FIFA World Rankings are coming to Dublin in March,
Belgium, with Romelu Lukaku, Kevin de Bruyne, Marouane Fellani (yep, he's still there!) and co are making the journey to Dublin for a friendly, announced today by the Red Devils.
Roberto Martinez is due to face off against Stephen Kenny on Saturday March 26th at the Aviva Stadium, a week after Ireland's rugby side play their final game of their Six Nations campaign against Scotland.
👋 Top of the ̶m̶o̶r̶n̶i̶n̶’̶ afternoon to ya, @FAIreland 🍀 #DEVILTIME pic.twitter.com/rRc6rtmbD4
— Belgian Red Devils (@BelRedDevils) January 25, 2022
Ireland have faced the Belgians 15 times in total, however this is the first friendly between the pair since 1966.
Last time it was Martin O'Neill's side that faced many of the current Belgian side in the group stages of UEFA Euro 2016, in which a double from current Chelsea striker Lukaku and Axel Witsel secured a 3-0 win, while there was also heartbreak for the Irish when they were defeated by the low country in the playoffs to qualify for the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
The Irish were due to face Italy as part of the FAI centenary celebrations, however now it's expected that a less-experienced Belgian squad will arrive for the encounter, ahead of Ireland's first UEFA Nations League encounter against Ukraine in June.
Lithuania will also provide the opposition for a second international friendly at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday, March 29th.
