Ireland to face New Zealand in end-of-year friendly

The Republic of Ireland will face New Zealand in a friendly at the Aviva Stadium on 21 November.

The visit of the All Whites will take place just after the final Euro 2024 qualifier against the Netherlands in Amsterdam on Saturday, 18 November, the FAI have confirmed.

Ireland manager Stephen Kenny is set to announce his squad next week ahead of the qualifiers against France at the Parc des Princes on Thursday, 8 September, before returning to a now sold-out Aviva Stadium for the Netherlands fixture on Sunday, 10 September.

New Zealand are currently 50 places behind Ireland in the FIFA World rankings at 103rd.

Their current squad boasts current and past Sligo Rovers players in Bit O' Red defender Nando Pijnaker and striker Max Mata, now of Shrewsbury Town.

Mick McCarthy was manager four years ago when an Ireland side recorded an impressive 3-1 win over the Kiwis in Dublin.

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