Dublin's Aviva stadium to welcome Argentina first

SETANTA SPORTS,

Published Monday, June 1, 2009, 12:07 PM

Updated Thursday, July 23, 2009, 5:44 PM

Larger Text

E-mail

Make a comment

Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates scoring a goal

Photo by Fifty Fifty/Press Association Images

Argentina will be the first team to take on the Republic of Ireland at the new Aviva Stadium, the FAI have announced.

The two-time World Cup winners will visit Dublin for the clash on August 11, 2010 at the new 50,000 capacity stadium, marking the first international match in the arena since construction began in place of the old Lansdowne Road.

The stadium is on schedule to open for the original date set of late summer next year.

John Delaney, CEO of the FAI said: “I am very happy to have reached this agreement with Argentina, who will be fitting opponents to mark an opening international match of such significance.

"Aviva Stadium will be joint owned by the FAI and the IRFU and represents the single largest infrastructural project in the Association’s history. I look forward to welcoming Argentina to Dublin next year to help us celebrate that achievement.”