Lenihan could feature in what has become a six-team group

Dunboyne man Darragh Lenihan could feature for the Republic of Ireland when the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign kicks-off away to Serbia on Wednesday 24th March.

A sixth team has been added to Group A with Qatar set to play on a non-competitive basis to assist their World Cup preparations.

Qatar have been added as the sixth team to Group A to give them match practice ahead of their hosting of the World Cup in 2022.

These games will be non-competitive with Qatar in Dublin on 30th March while the second match will be played at a neutral venue in Europe on 12th October.

Ireland will welcome Luxembourg to the Aviva Stadium on Saturday 27th March before Qatar arrive for a non-competitive fixture on Tuesday 30th March 30th.

After that it's Portugal away on Wednesday 1st September followed by a home game against Azerbaijan on Saturday 4th September and Serbia at the Aviva on Tuesday, 7th September.

No ticket details will be available as the FAI awaits developments on the return of fans in the COVID-19 era.

FIXTURES

GROUP A EUROPEAN QUALIFYING - 2022 FIFA WORLD CUP

March 2021

Wednesday, 24th – Serbia away

Saturday, 27th – Luxembourg home

Tuesday, 30th – Qatar home

September 2021

Wednesday, 1st – Portugal away

Saturday, 4th – Azerbaijan home

Tuesday, 7th – Serbia home

October

Saturday, 9th – Azerbaijan away

Tuesday, 12th – Qatar away, (game to be played in Europe)

November

Thursday, 11th – Portugal home

Sunday, 14th – Luxembourg away