The scheduled staging of the Northern Ireland senior men's UEFA Nations League game against Belarus in Belfast next month has moved a step closer to being confirmed.
The match, which is due to be held at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park on Friday 15 November, had been in doubt due to UK Government guidance which said representative teams from Belarus should not play in the UK.
That guidance was issued after Belarus provided support to Russia following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Russia has been banned from UEFA and FIFA competitions due to the invasion. UEFA has also sanctioned Belarus, which is currently not allowed to host international matches.
However, after talks in recent weeks, an update has been given:
Irish FA Chief Executive Patrick Nelson said: “The issuance of visas to the Belarus senior men’s football team in time to fulfil our scheduled UEFA Nations League fixture next month has been a well publicised matter.
“We have spent a number of weeks working to find a positive resolution to this. After significant consultation with our Government stakeholders, we are now confident that the game can take place at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park on Friday 15 November.
“We anticipate further updates in the coming period.”
