Metz test for the Girls in Green as France confirm EURO2025 qualifier venue

The French Football Federation have confirmed that Ireland’s EURO 2025 qualifier against France will take place in the Saint-Symphorien stadium in Metz next month.

Eileen Gleeson’s side are drawn in a qualifying group with France, England and Sweden and now know the venue for their away fixtures against Les Blues and The Lionesses. 

The French women’s side have twice previously played at the Saint-Symphorien stadium – they were two friendly victories (behind closed doors) against Switzerland (2-0), on February 21 and 23, 2021.

Herve Renard’s French team will host England in the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium in Saint Etienne in the European Championship qualifiers. That stadium will also be the venue for Les Blues’ second group match at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games this summer (July 28).

The Geoffroy-Guichard stadium has hosted Les Bleues twice, on November 16, 2002 (a 1-0 win over England in a World Cup quaalifier) and October 5, 2018 (a 2-0 friendly victory against Australia). 

The Renard view

“It is a big challenge that awaits us to try to obtain this qualification before the start of the Olympic Games,” said French manager Hervé Renard speaking to fff.fr. “Qualifying for Euro 2025 is obviously a major objective of our season and we can't wait to start this campaign in less than a month.”

Last week, Ireland learned that there would be no Wembley fixture for them as England will host the Girls In Green in Norwich City’s Carrow Road stadium.

The Republic of Ireland will begin their qualifying quest for the EUROs, set for Switzerland next year, with that away trip to Metz to take on France on Friday, April 5th before returning to Dublin to host England at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday, April 9th.

Next up Gleeson’s side will host Sweden at the Aviva Stadium on Friday, May 31st ahead of travelling away to take on the same opponent on Tuesday, June 4th.

The Swedes have yet to confirm the venue but Ireland played in Gothenburg in the qualification for the last World Cup (drawing 1-1). Sweden will play France in their first home qualifier in the Gamla Ullevi in Gothenburg.

Ireland will travel to take on England in Carrow Road on Friday July 12^th and with the Aviva Stadium unavailable in July, Ireland will finish their Group qualifiers against France on Tuesday, July 16th in a venue that will be confirmed soon – but is expected to be Tallaght Stadium (as Shamrock Rovers are away that day).

Let’s be having you – Girls in Green to take on Lionesses at Carrow Road https://t.co/Fca5aSGgoIpic.twitter.com/wGOuEHkXhD

— extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) March 9, 2024