Why are Northern Ireland playing Ukraine in Slovakia?

Northern Ireland’s match against Ukraine in the Uefa Nations League on Friday, 2 October will take place at the Anton Malatinsky Stadium in Trnava, Slovakia.

Since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Ukraine have been playing their home matches outside of the country. Venues in the Czech Republic, Poland, Spain and Germany have been among those used.

Also on that list is the Anton Malatinsky Stadium, hosting Ukraine’s 1-0 win over Malta in June 2023 in a qualifying match for the 2024 European Championships.

Uefa permits Ukraine to host their matches wherever they wish to, providing that the chosen venue adheres to its regulations.

The match against Northern Ireland is the third of Ukraine’s four matches in this international break. They won 1-0 in Hungary in Friday and play in Georgia on Monday.

Then follows the Northern Ireland fixture, before a home match against Hungary in Trnava.

In November’s international round of fixtures, Ukraine host Georgia. That match will take place in Trnava too.

Playing football outside their home country has also been commonplace for Ukrainian clubs in recent years.

This season, defending top-flight champions Shakhtar Donetsk will play their home Champions League matches at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge.

This article is the latest from BBC Sport’s Ask Me Anything team.

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