IRELAND WILL KICK off their 2018 campaign with a friendly international against Turkey in Antalya on Friday 23 March, it has been announced.
The fixture at the New Antalya Stadium will be preceded by a four-day training camp as Martin O’Neill’s side begin their preparations for the inaugural Uefa Nations League in September.
The squad will assemble in Dublin on 18 March before departing for Turkey the following day for what will be one of two friendlies before the summer, with the Boys in Green also set to travel to Paris to face France on 28 May.
Turkey, currently 10 places below Ireland in the latest Fifa rankings, are in the same league for the Nations League and could be paired in the same group when the draw takes place on 24 January.
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What’s the nations league?
@Aiden: a massively convoluted friendly tournament
I’ll be there. Going to finalise my tickets, flights & hotel after Christmas after I find out what hotel the players are staying in!
@Whatshisname: I’m all booked- Aer Lingus €55 one way and Aer France €49 back. 2 nights in Montmartre for €80. Job done.
How are turkey with a population of 80 mill 10 places behind us on the rankings?
@Noel Ryan: China and India should be in the top 5 if that’s the case
@Keith Reidy: You know what I mean, Turkey has been a footballing nation for decades and have been competing at the business end of tournaments previously, unlike your aforementioned India and China. I think we’re not doing too badly being ahead of them in the rankings.
Thought the Nation’s league would be started before September, how are they going to squeeze in Euro qualifiers with league games?