Ireland were due to begin their campaign in Georgia on September 6, but the current political situation in the former Soviet state has prompted the governing body to order the hosts to find a neutral country in which to play.

Georgia have until next Wednesday to nominate another venue for the game.

A statement on the Football Association of Ireland's official website, www.fai.ie, said: "FIFA today confirmed that it has asked the Georgian FA to nominate a neutral venue for the Group 8 World Cup qualifier match against the Republic of Ireland on September 6.

"FIFA has indicated that it expects to confirm the new venue next week."

Earlier, FIFA had announced the decision in their own statement.

It said: "FIFA today decided that the 2010 FIFA World Cup preliminary competition match between Georgia and the Republic of Ireland, scheduled for 6 September 2008, will take place at a neutral venue due to recent events in Georgia, which have affected security in the entire country.

"FIFA reached this decision after closely monitoring the situation in Georgia and taking note that UEFA also decided to ask Georgian clubs involved in UEFA competitions to play their matches in neutral countries.

"The Georgian Football Federation has until 26 August 2008 to nominate a neutral venue to host the qualifying match against the Republic of Ireland, which will take place on the scheduled date of 6 September 2008.

"The Georgian Football Federation will serve as the host association for this match."

The news came as Trapattoni prepared to put his players through their paces at Oslo's Ullevaal Stadium this evening ahead of tomorrow night's friendly clash with Norway, their last warm-up game before the qualifying campaign gets under way.

The Republic are due to face Georgia and Montenegro within four days in a tough start to their bid to reach the 2010 finals in South Africa.