The Football Association of Ireland has welcomed this evening’s announcement by Minister for Sport Jack Chambers that approximately 25,000 fans will be permitted to attend the FIFA 2022 World Cup qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Serbia at the Aviva Stadium in early September.

Reacting to the announcement by the Minister, FAI CEO Jonathan Hill expressed the Association’s delight that fans will be back in the stadium when international football resumes for Stephen Kenny’s Senior Men’s team.

The Minister made the announcement following recent talks between his Department and the FAI, and after a series of successful pilot events around the Return to Watch programme featuring Irish club sides in European, League of Ireland and Women’s National League fixtures.

FAI CEO Jonathan Hill said: “This is great news for our Irish fans, for Stephen Kenny and his players and for the FAI as we all look forward to the return of 25,000 or so fans to the Aviva Stadium in September for the FIFA World Cup games against Azerbaijan and Serbia.

“This news is so positive for Irish football and follows on from the recent positive experience of our own test events. Just last night I joined Minister Chambers at the Aviva Stadium for the UEFA Europa Conference League win for Bohemians against Dudelange of Luxembourg and the atmosphere was again fantastic.

“Now we can all really look forward to our supporters getting behind the Senior Men’s team for the first time since the pandemic. Many of our young players have yet to play before a home crowd at the Aviva Stadium so it will give them and Stephen Kenny such a lift to have 25,000 or so passionate Irish fans in the ground. One thing we have learned from the pandemic is that football is nothing without our fans.

“We are already working on the ticketing strategy for the game that will be fair and equitable for all and will give our team the best possible support on the night. We will share those plans with our supporters at the earliest opportunity.”