The Republic of Ireland have arrived in Pristina ahead of their opening UEFA Nations League fixture against Kosovo tomorrow night.

This trip to the Kosovan capital marks the first of four matches in a demanding international window and the Boys in Green will be determined to carry their momentum into the new campaign.

Ireland head into their first-ever competitive fixture against Kosovo unbeaten in their last four competitive internationals and will be eager to maintain that form in the UEFA Nations League. 

Head Coach Heimir Hallgrímsson oversaw a final training session at the Fadil Vokrri Stadium earlier today, with a full squad at his disposal. Kick-off tomorrow is at 7.45pm (8.45pm local time).

Match Details

Fixture: Kosovo v Republic of Ireland
Date: Thursday, September 24
Competition: UEFA Nations League
Kick-off: 7.45pm (8.45pm local time)
Stadium: Fadil Vokrri Stadium
TV: RTE

Match Officials

Referee: Lawrence Visser (BEL)
Assistant Referee 1: Ruben Wyns (BEL)
Assistant Referee 2: Michele Seeldraeyers (BEL)
Fourth Official: Kevin Van Damme (BEL)
Video Assistant Referee: Jan Boterberg (BEL)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Simon Bourdeaud'hui (BEL)

Team News

Bosun Lawal has stayed with Stoke City to continue his rehabilitation on an injury before linking up with the squad next week so will not be available for the match tomorrow night.

Press Conference | Head Coach Heimir Hallgrímsson

"In the beginning, many didn't know much about the Kosovo national team, but we have followed your progress closely. I remember specifically the games against Iceland where Kosovo performed exceptionally well.

"We are aware of the massive rise this team has had since 2016, when you were ranked 199th in the world. Since then, there has been a rapid development in your football. You have excellent individual players playing for top international clubs.

"I look at the positive results Kosovo had against Iceland in the qualifiers, the games against Sweden, and the matches against Switzerland—most of which were positive performances. You were close to a World Cup play-off and had strong showings against teams like Slovakia and Turkey." 

Match Facts - Kosovo v Republic of Ireland

- This will be the first competitive meeting between Kosovo and Republic of Ireland, with the hosts losing just one of their last nine home internationals against European nations (W6 D2).
- Republic of Ireland are unbeaten across their last four competitive internationals against European sides (W3 D1), last enjoying a longer such run between September 2021 and November 2021 (five games).
- Kosovo have lost two of their last three internationals (W1), as many defeats as across their prior 16 fixtures combined (W12 D2).
- Kosovo have lost just one of their last seven competitive internationals played on home soil (W4 D2), a run which has seen them concede just three goals in total and never more than once in a match.
- Republic of Ireland have won each of their last two UEFA Nations League matches and will be looking to win three in succession for the first time in the competition.
- Of the 21 sides to play 25+ UEFA Nations League matches since the competition’s inauguration, Kosovo rank 5th overall for win percentage (53.8%), behind only Greece (65.4%), Portugal (60.7%), Georgia (57.7%) and France (57.1%).
- Among sides to play over 20 games in the UEFA Nations League since its inception, only Andorra (9), Gibraltar (15) and Lithuania (16) have scored fewer goals in total than Republic of Ireland (17). Overall, only Andorra and San Marino (15) have produced more goalless displays in the competition than The Boys in Green (14).
- Kosovo’s Vedat Muriqi has netted 13 goals in the UEFA Nations League, with only Erling Haaland (19), Cristiano Ronaldo (15) and Aleksandar Mitrovic (15) netting more in the competition. His overall goal contribution tally of 18 (13 goals, 5 assists) is also second to only Haaland (22).
- Troy Parrott has netted six goals across his last six games for Republic of Ireland, one more than across his prior 31 combined (5).

Republic of Ireland Squad - UEFA Nations League

Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Brentford), Max O'Leary (West Bromwich Albion), Gavin Bazunu (Bolton Wanderers)

Defenders: James Abankwah (Udinese), Joel Bagan (Cardiff City), Jimmy Dunne (Queens Park Rangers), John Egan (Hull City), Liam Kitching (Sheffield United), Ryan Manning (Southampton), Jake O'Brien (Everton), Dara O'Shea (Ipswich Town), Liam Scales (Celtic)

Midfielders: Finn Azaz (Southampton), Conor Coventry (Charlton Athletic), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Killian Phillips (St. Mirren)

Forwards: Owen Elding (Hibernian), Adam Idah (Swansea City), Jack Moylan (Cardiff City), Chiedozie Ogbene (Lincoln City), Troy Parrott (Real Betis), Rocco Vata (Watford), Tom Cannon (Sheffield United)

Fixtures - UEFA Nations League

Kosovo v Republic of Ireland
24/09 | Fadil Vokrri Stadium, Pristina | 7:45 PM (8:45 PM Local)

Israel v Republic of Ireland
27/09 | Nagyerdei Stadion, Debrecen | 7:45 PM (8:45 PM Local)

Republic of Ireland v Austria
01/10 | Aviva Stadium, Dublin | 7:45 PM

Israel v Republic of Ireland
04/10 | TSC Arena, Bačka Topola | 7:45 PM (8:45 PM Local)