Jaden Umeh has never been to the Aviva Stadium in any capacity, so it’s quite something that the Cork teenager could cement his first visit to the venue with a senior Ireland cap.After one false dawn, the Benfica winger is back at the second time of asking and hoping to feature in Thursday night’s friendly against a Qatar side that has qualified for the World Cup, and who are managed by former Spain boss Julen Lopetegui.Umeh was initially included in Heimir Hallgrímsson’s squad for the recent, low-key friendly win over Grenada in Spain, when seven players in an experimental group made their senior debuts. But he had to withdraw from that Murcia camp as Benfica needed him for a key Uefa Youth League game.“I was definitely overthinking it a bit. I’m still young. Even if I didn’t get this call-up, I knew that if I kept my head down and kept working I would soon get the call-up,” the 18-year-old said on Tuesday.“It’s actually going to be my first time [at the Aviva Stadium], and to be my first time playing instead of watching, it’s wonderful. It’s going to be amazing. That’s what I’m looking for anyway. Every young boy is looking for that.”If Umeh is handed his debut on Thursday, he would be making his senior international bow before having chiselled his way into Benfica’s first team. “I’d say I’d take it in my stride,” the winger said of the opportunity. “Ever since a young age, I’ve been playing not my age, but years up, that’s just how I was, how I was raised by my mam and Cork City. I think it’s just another step-up in my life.”José Mourinho, soon to be the former Benfica manager as he nears a return to Real Madrid, took a shine to Umeh having watched him play for the youth team. As a result, Umeh has been training regularly with Benfica’s first team following his move from Cork City nearly two years ago.Jaden Umeh in training with Benfica’s first team! 🇮🇪Umeh was caught on camera yesterday taking part in training with Benfica’s senior squad and was pictured sharing a moment with manager José Mourinho during the session.Jose Mourinho is believed to be a huge admirer of the… pic.twitter.com/gKG5tDSTy7— Reptracker | Conor McEvoy (@reptracker) April 23, 2026