Ireland to face Belgium in March friendly at Aviva

The Republic of Ireland will face world No-1 ranked Belgium in an Aviva Stadium friendly on Saturday 26 March.

Stephen Kenny's men begin their Nations League against Ukraine in Dublin on Saturday, 4 June, with the clash with the Belgians - and another Aviva match against Lithuania three days later - offering precious game time for the management and the squad ahead of the summer.

Kenny has said that Ireland's ambition is to win their Nations League group, which also includes Scotland and Armenia, so the spring will be an important double-header as they try to keep up the momentum gained from a positive end to the World Cup qualification campaign.

The FAI also confirmed Ireland will play two friendly fixtures in the November international window, with one of them in Dublin.