Get ready for an exciting journey as Ireland's women's football team embarks on their World Cup qualifying campaign!
Avoiding the 'Group of Death'
Carla Ward, the manager of the Republic of Ireland women's team, believes they have a fighting chance in their upcoming qualifying matches. Initially, many expected Ireland to be drawn into a group with England and Spain, the reigning European and world champions, respectively. However, fate had other plans, and Ireland's pot revealed Ukraine, leading to a highly competitive 'Group of Death'.
But here's where it gets interesting... Ireland dodged that bullet and instead landed in a group with France, the Netherlands, and Poland. These matches will take place between March and June of the following year, with the group winners securing automatic qualification for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. The other three nations will have to navigate the playoff route.
A Challenging, Yet Manageable Draw
While France and Poland were the lowest-ranked nations in their respective pots, drawing the Dutch from pot two presented a tougher challenge. Despite this, Ward remains optimistic.
"It's not an impossible task," she said. "While England and Spain are the top teams right now, we're in League A for a reason - we're talking about the best of the best in Europe."
The world rankings suggest a tight race between France and the Netherlands for the top spot, with Ireland and Poland battling it out for third. However, Ward isn't ready to concede just yet.
"I believe France is beatable, and I think all three teams are within our reach. Our target is not just third place; we aim to accumulate as many points as possible. Third place would be a minimum goal, ensuring a better playoff route and maintaining our status in League A."
A Tough Road Ahead
Ward acknowledges the challenges ahead, praising France for their world-class players and expressing admiration for the Dutch team, now under the guidance of Arjan Veurink, who previously served as Sarina Wiegman's assistant with England. She also recognizes Poland's recent form, highlighting their victories and draws against strong opponents.
"These games will be tough, but we believe we can compete with anyone. Our players continue to surprise me, and I have no doubt we'll give it our all against these nations."
The fixtures and venues for the campaign are yet to be determined, and Ward plans to discuss her preferences with the FAI. She hints at a potential strategy to avoid the Aviva Stadium for the French and Dutch games, believing that the larger venue and pitch size could favor the opposition.
The Road to Qualification
Next up for Ward and her team is a behind-closed-doors friendly with Hungary in Marbella at the end of the month. Following this, the focus shifts to the qualifying campaign, with the opening match scheduled for March 3rd.
"Our ultimate goal is to qualify for the World Cup. We've positioned ourselves well by being in League A, and the hard work continues. We're here to compete, not just make up the numbers."
League A Groups
Group A1: Sweden (3), Italy (12), Denmark (14), Serbia (35)
Group A2: France (6), Netherlands (11), Poland (26), Republic of Ireland (27)
Group A3: Spain (1), England (4), Iceland (17), Ukraine (34)
Group A4: Germany (5), Norway (13), Austria (19), Slovenia (38)
So, what do you think? Can Ireland pull off an upset and qualify for the World Cup? Join the discussion and share your thoughts in the comments below!
