It is the first competitive meeting between the two nations since 1991.
The Republic of Ireland take on England on Saturday at the Aviva Stadium in the opening game of the 2024 Uefa Nations League campaign. Here is everything you need to know about the game, including kick-off time, TV details and squad news.
You can also follow proceedings in our live hub above, where we will have a build-up to the match, updates from the game, and player ratings. Just click on the key point you want to read about or keep scrolling for updates.
Ireland vs England: What is at stake?
Ireland’s match against England is the opening game in the Uefa Nations League B2.
England are the favourites to top the group, which also contains Greece and Finland.
The winner of the group will earn promotion to League A and face the other top-ranked teams in Europe, while the team that finishes bottom of the group will be relegated to League C.
There will also be a relegation promotion play involving the teams who finish third in League A, and second in League B. For the teams that finish third in League B, they will face the runners-up in League C.
England were relegated from League A in the previous running of the competition in 2022. Ireland, meanwhile, finished third in their group behind Ukraine and Scotland, and ahead of Armenia.
The Nations League has grown in importance for teams since its inception in 2018.
The winners of each group will be guaranteed a play-off place for the 2026 World Cup, and many smaller teams, such as Georgia and North Macedonia, have used the Nations League play-off route to reach international tournaments.
Ireland vs England: Who are the managers?
This will be the first game for new Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson, who was appointed as Stephen Kenny’s successor after a long search ended in July.
Hallgrimsson, 57, had a successful stint in charge of his native Iceland when he helped them reach the quarter-finals of Euro 2016, beating England en route.
Iceland also qualified for the 2018 World Cup during his tenure. Hallgrimsson’s most recent role was as the manager of Jamaica.
Meanwhile, in the England dugout, there will be a familiar face. Lee Carsley, who was long-linked with the Ireland post and was reportedly the FAI’s number-one choice to replace Kenny, is the England interim manager.
Carsley, who won 40 caps for Ireland, has stepped up from the England Under-21s following Gareth Southgate’s resignation after England lost the Euro 2024 final to Spain.
The former Everton midfielder, 50, has an opportunity to stake his claim for the job permanently, starting with Saturday’s match in Dublin.
Ireland vs England: How can I watch the match on TV?
The match will be broadcast live on RTÉ 2 in Ireland, with coverage starting at 4 pm ahead of kick-off at 5 pm.
You can also watch the game live on the RTÉ Player.
In the UK, you can watch the Nations League game live on ITV1.
Who is in the squads?
Ireland squad.
Goalkeepers: Caoimhín Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth), Max O’Leary (Bristol City).
Defenders: Séamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Dara O’Shea (Ipswich Town), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Jake O’Brien (Everton), Andrew Omobamidele (Nottingham Forest), Liam Scales (Celtic), Callum O’Dowda (Cardiff City), Robbie Brady (Preston North End).
Midfielders: Will Smallbone (Southampton), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Alan Browne (Sunderland), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Kasey McAteer (Leicester City).
Forwards: Adam Idah (Celtic), Evan Ferguson (Brighton and Hove Albion), Sammie Szmodics (Ipswich Town), Chiedozie Ogbene (Ipswich Town), Callum Robinson (Cardiff City), Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar).
England squad.
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Newcastle United).
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Levi Colwill (Chelsea), Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Rico Lewis (Manchester City), Tino Livramento (Newcastle), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City).
Midfielders: Phil Foden (Manchester City), Conor Gallagher (Atlético Madrid), Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest), Angel Gomes (Lille), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Declan Rice (Arsenal).
Forwards; Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Noni Madueke (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).
Since the squads were named, Phil Foden, Ollie Watkins and Cole Palmer have withdrawn from the England squad. Foden is ill, while Watkins and Palmer have returned to their clubs to ‘continue their rehabilitation from ongoing issues.’
Record in the fixture.
Ireland and England have played each other 17 times. the Boys in Green have won twice, England have won six times and there have been eight draws. One of the games was abandoned.
Ireland’s first victory over England was in a friendly at Goodison Park in 1949, and they famously beat them at Euro ’88 thanks to Ray Houghton’s goal.
England have won this fixture eight times, including the last meeting between the sides in November 2020, a 3-0 victory at Wembley.
The last meeting between these two sides in Dublin was a goalless draw in 2015.
Infamously, in 1995, a friendly between the two teams was abandoned after England supporters started a riot at Lansdowne Road.
Recent records of the two teams.
Ireland have experienced a difficult couple of years at international level. The team have not qualified for a major tournament since 2016 and didn’t come close to reaching that stage under former boss Kenny.
The national team have won just three of their last 10 competitive matches. Two of those victories were against Gibraltar and the other win was over Armenia in September 2022.
In the time since Ireland last played at a major tournament, England have reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and lost two European Championship finals.
During Jack Charlton’s time as Ireland manager, between 1986 and 1995, Ireland were rivals with England. Yet, those days are long gone.
The current gulf in quality between the two teams is reflected in the FIFA World Rankings, with Ireland in 58th place and England in fourth place.
Meanwhile, according to Transfermarkt, England’s squad is worth £1.47bn. Ireland’s squad is worth €180.6m
What are the odds?
England are, unsurprisingly, heavy favourites for the match.
- England: 4/9
- Ireland: 11/2
- The draw: 14/5
(All odds via Paddy Power and are correct at the time of writing. 18+ Please gamble responsibly, visit gamblingcare.ie).
