World Cup 2018 qualification fixtures released

The Fixtures for the Republic of Ireland’s qualification fixtures were released following a draw in St Petersburg yesterday. The Boys in Green will begin their campaign to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia with an away fixture to Serbia. The first home game is in October at home to Georgia.

Unlike the EURO 2016 qualifiers, the order of the fixtures was decided by UEFA in place of the old system of home/away negotiations between associations. The Republic of Ireland's fixtures are as follows:

2016

Monday September 5: Serbia away

Thursday October 6: Georgia home

Sunday October 9: Moldova away

Saturday November 12: Austria away

2017

Friday March 24: Wales home

Sunday June 11: Austria home

Saturday September 2: Georgia away

Tuesday September 5: Serbia home

Friday October 6: Moldova home

Monday October 9: Wales away