The Football Association has announced that the Republic of Ireland will face England next month after New Zealand pulled out of the international friendly due to the coronavirus pandemic.
New Zealand Football announced last week that they are no longer in a position to travel to London to take part in next month's fixture, which was due to take place on Thursday 12 November, because of the uncertainty surrounding squad selection and the travel restrictions in place due to coronavirus.
The FA immediately engaged talks to find a suitable replacement, and have reached an agreement with the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) to stage what will be the first meeting between the two sides in more than five years.
The clash will take place at Wembley on the same date as the game with New Zealand was due to take place, which will help Gareth Southgate’s squad prepare for their final two Uefa Nations League games against Belgium and Iceland.
Southgate’s side face a tough ask to reach the semi-finals of the Nations League after losing their recent outing against Belgium 1-0 in which they ended the game with both Harry Maguire and Reece Jaes sent off, though a victory in Brussels on Sunday 15 November would reignite their chances as they face point-less Iceland three days’ later on Wednesday 18 November.
England have not met Ireland since the 0-0 draw in Dublin in June 2015, and it has been more than seven years since the Irish graced Wembley in a 1-1 draw that was organised to celebrate the FA’s 150th celebrations.
