The Republic of Ireland return to the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday, March 31 to face North Macedonia in an international friendly, as they look to close the March window on a positive note.

Ireland suffered a narrow penalty shoot-out defeat to Czechia in Prague on Thursday, a result that ended their hopes of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Attention now turns to the next chapter for the national team, with preparations beginning for UEFA EURO 2028, alongside the upcoming UEFA Nations League campaign later this year.

Head Coach Heimir Hallgrímsson views the friendly as an important opportunity to build momentum for the future, while also giving the team a chance to repay the continued support they have received from fans over the past year — particularly following the positive performances against Portugal and Hungary in November.

Match Details

Fixture: Republic of Ireland v North Macedonia
Competition: International Friendly
Date: Tuesday, March 31
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Venue: Aviva Stadium
TV: RTE

Match Officials

Referee: Iwan Arwel Griffith (WAL)
Assistant Referee 1: Johnathan Bryant (WAL)
Assistant Referee 2: Harry Hendricks (WAL)
Fourth Official: Jamie Robinson (NIR)

Team News
Head Coach Heimir Hallgrímsson has confirmed Robbie Brady will also miss the match against North Macedonia as both Jack Taylor and Sammie Szmodics have returned home. New call-up Millenic Alli trained today with the squad and is in contention to feature tomorrow. 

Press Conference | Head Coach Heimir Hallgrímsson

“For us the most important thing is the performance. If we follow our structure and do the things we’ve worked on, then we give ourselves the best chance of getting a result.

“We know the quality they have. If you give teams at this level time and space they will punish you, so we have to be organised, disciplined and brave when we have the ball. This team is still developing. Each camp is an opportunity for the players to understand the system better and for us to build more cohesion.

“The players are working hard and they want to improve. That attitude is very important for where we are as a team right now.

“We want to be organised defensively but also quick and decisive when we win the ball. That balance is important for us.”

Press Conference | Defender Dara O'Shea 

“There’s a real belief in the group. We know the quality we have and we know that if we perform well we can compete with any team.

“The manager has simplified things for us. Everyone knows their role and what’s expected, which helps us perform as a team. It’s about putting performances together now. If we keep doing the right things the results will come.

“We’re a hardworking group and that’s something we take pride in. Every player here wants to improve and push the team forward. At international level every game is tough. When you get chances you have to take them, and defensively you have to stay switched on for the whole match.”

Match Facts - Republic of Ireland v North Macedonia

- Republic of Ireland have won four of their previous six meetings with North Macedonia in all competitions (D1 L1), with this their first since a 2-0 win in the UEFA European Championship qualifier in June 2011.

- North Macedonia are winless across their last six international friendly matches (D2 L4), since beating Armenia 3-1 in October 2023. 

- Republic of Ireland have won just one of their last seven international friendlies (D4 L2), a 2-1 home victory against Hungary in June 2024 thanks to goals from Adam Idah and Troy Parrott.

- North Macedonia have conceded 11 goals across their last two internationals, losing 4-0 to Denmark and 7-1 to Wales. Those matches have seen them concede as many goals in total as across their prior 17 matches combined.

- Across all competitions, Republic of Ireland are unbeaten across their last six home internationals (W4 D2), winning their last two without conceding. They haven’t won three in succession since a four-match stint between September 2015 and March 2016, a run in which they didn’t concede.

- When facing fellow European nations in international friendlies since the start of 2024, Republic of Ireland have failed to score in four of their five games (W1 D2 L2), drawing their last 0-0 with Luxembourg in June 2025.

- Only 12 players in the Republic of Ireland’s history have netted more than Troy Parrott’s 11, with the AZ Alkmaar forward scoring a penalty last time out against Czechia. He’s now scored six goals across his last three caps, one more than across his 31 prior international appearances combined (5). 

- Troy Parrott have scored in each of his last three games for Republic of Ireland, and the last player to score in four in succession was Robbie Keane between March and June 2011.

Republic of Ireland Squad - North Macedonia
 
Goalkeepers: Caoimhín Kelleher (Brentford), Mark Travers (Everton), Josh Keeley (Luton Town).
 
Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Jimmy Dunne (QPR), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Dara O'Shea (Ipswich Town), Jake O'Brien (Everton), John Egan (Hull City), James Abankwah (Watford), Liam Scales (Celtic), Ryan Manning (Southampton).
 
Midfielders: Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Alan Browne (Middlesbrough), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Finn Azaz (Southampton), Harvey Vale (QPR), Bosun Lawal (Stoke City).
 
Attackers: Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar), Adam Idah (Swansea City), Johnny Kenny (Bolton Wanderers, on loan from Celtic), Chiedozie Ogbene (Sheffield United, on loan from Ipswich Town), Millenic Alli (Portsmouth, on loan from Luton Town).