Republic of Ireland U21s’ third home game of the 2025 U21 EURO qualifications will come against Italy in November.

This fixture has become a familiar one for both nations at this level with Ireland and Italy drawing each other in four of the last five U21 EURO qualifying groups. The only exception was in 2019 when Italy qualified automatically as hosts.

It will be the ninth meeting between the teams since 2012.

The Under-21s were drawn in Group A along with Italy, Norway, Türkiye, Latvia and San Marino. For the first time in their history Ireland U21s were seeded in Pot B having been in Pot D as recently as 2019.

It will be the first time Jim Crawford’s Under-21s meet Italy since the summer of 2022 where Italy won 4-1 in 30C heat in Ascoli.

Match Details
Fixture: Ireland U21s v Italy U21s
Competition: UEFA European U21 Championship Qualifier
Venue: TBC
Date: Tuesday, November 22 (this is subject to change)
Kick-off: TBC
TV: TBC
Tickets: Ticket information will be released in due course.

Last 3 meetings
14.06.2022 | Italy 4-1 Ireland, UEFA European U21 Championship Qualifier
12.11.2022 | Ireland 0-2 Italy, UEFA European U21 Championship Qualifier
13.10.2020 | Italy 2-0 Ireland, UEFA European U21 Championship Qualifier

Fact
One of the greatest Ireland Under-21s results came against Italy in Casarano in 2012. Ireland beat the already qualified Italians 4-2 despite being down to nine men. Sean Murray and Conor Henderson produced two superb strikes with Aaron McCarey denying Ciro Immobile from the spot.