Ireland's upcoming Nations League clash with Bulgaria will go ahead in Sofia as originally planned.
Contingency plans were in place to switch the September 3 game to Hungary or Greece because of fears over rising Covid cases in Bulgaria.
Ahead of his first game, Stephen Kenny was awaiting word on whether the Government would grant the squad special travel dispensation.
That appears to have been provided - the FAI refused to confirm it this evening - and in that case the squad does not have to quarantine on its return to Ireland.
And that was key because Ireland play host to Finland at Aviva Stadium three days later on September 6.
An FAI statement read: “Stephen Kenny’s Republic of Ireland will open their UEFA Nations League campaign with an away game against Bulgaria in Sofia on Thursday, 3rd September.
“Final details are still under discussion but the fixture will go ahead in Bulgaria as scheduled.”
Kenny names his squad for the double-header on Monday lunchtime.
Players will gather in Dublin on Sunday week and train for two days before departing for Sofia on the Tuesday ahead of the Thursday match.
