Ireland learn their opponents for FIBA EuroBasket 2029 Pre-Qualifiers

Ireland men’s basketball team will face North Macedonia, Luxembourg and Azerbaijan in Group A of the FIBA EuroBasket 2029 Pre-Qualifiers, following the draw which took place in Riga, Latvia on Monday.

Ireland begin their campaign away against Luxembourg on November 27^th, followed by a home game against top seeds North Macedonia three days later at the National Basketball Arena. It will be the first qualifying campaign under new Ireland head coach Micheal Bree, following his appointment in July.

Ireland, who are second seeds in Group A, will be up against familiar opponents, in Luxembourg and Azerbaijan. Ireland faced Azerbaijan in their most recent FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Pre-Qualifiers campaign, winning 91-67 at home in November 2024, followed by a 79-64 success in Baku last February, as Ireland finished second in their group with a 3-3 record.

Ireland also picked up a pair of wins against Luxembourg in the third round of FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Pre-Qualifiers, winning 96-76 away from home in July 2023, followed by 79-76 victory at the National Basketball Arena 10 days later.

Ireland men's head coach Michael Bree will face Luxembourg in his first game in charge.

“We are looking forward to competing in the upcoming FIBA EuroBasket pre-qualifying games. It will be an excellent opportunity to test ourselves against quality competition in Europe. I am excited to finally get the group together and begin preparations.” -  Michael Bree, Ireland men's head coach

Ireland played two friendly games against Norway in July, losing 87-79 in game one, followed by a 82-77 success in game two at the National Basketball Arena, with Bree's backroom team taking charge of those two fixtures.

FIBA EuroBasket 2029 Pre-Qualifiers Group A fixtures

Thursday, 27^th November 2025

Luxembourg v Ireland

Sunday, 30^th November 2025

Ireland v North Macedonia

Friday 27^th February 2026

Ireland v Azerbaijan

Monday 2^nd March 2026

Ireland v Luxembourg

Thursday, 2^nd July 2026

North Macedonia v Ireland

Sunday, 5^th July 2026

Azerbaijan v Ireland