Zambia fixture added for Ireland's World Cup build-up

The Republic of Ireland will host Zambia in a friendly on Thursday, 22 June at Tallaght Stadium.

The first meeting of the two teams will act as the second opportunity for Vera Pauw's squad since qualification to take on African opposition – following last November’s 4-0 win over Morocco – as they plan ahead for their Group B game against Nigeria in Brisbane.

The game will come 14 days before Ireland take on France in Tallaght Stadium on 6 July in what will be their final game ahead of departing for the World Cup.

Ireland are currently in a training camp in Spain, which involved a behind-closed-doors game against Germany last Friday and an official game with China PR on Wednesday, while details of a camp in April will be revealed soon.

Zambia finished third in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations – beating Nigeria 1-0 in their Third-Place game – to secure a spot at this summer’s main tournament, where they will make their World Cup debut.