The Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team (WNT) welcome group leaders the Netherlands to Páirc Uí Chaoimh this Friday night, knowing a positive result will keep their historic dream of direct qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil firmly alive.
Currently occupying third place in a highly competitive qualifying group, Head Coach Carla Ward’s side has put themselves in a remarkable position. A statement performance in Cork will allow Ireland to take the race for automatic qualification down to the final matchday when they travel to Grenoble to face France on Tuesday, June 9.
Ireland enter this defining double-header with massive wind in their sails following back-to-back victories over Poland. In doing so, the Girls in Green wrote yet another chapter in the history books, becoming the first-ever newly promoted team to register consecutive top-flight victories in Nations League A.
Match Details
Fixture: Republic of Ireland v Netherlands
Competition: UEFA Women's World Cup Qualifier
Date: Friday, June 5
Kick-off: 7:30pm
TV: RTE Two / RTE Player
Tickets: Available Here
Match Officials
Referee: Katalin Kulcsár (HUN)
Assistant Referee 1: Anita Vad (HUN)
Assistant Referee 2: Nikolett Bizderi (HUN)
Fourth Official: Eszter Urban (HUN)
Team News
Head Coach Carla Ward will have to rely on the formidable depth of her squad to navigate two significant suspension blows.
Influential midfielder Denise O'Sullivan and forward Emily Murphy are both ruled out of Friday’s clash after picking up second yellow cards during last month’s hard-fought victory over Poland. While both players will be cheering the team on from the stands in Cork, they will remain in camp and fully available for selection for the final group match against France next Tuesday.
Press Conference | Head Coach Carla Ward
"Historically, no-one has wanted to play against Ireland, because as a nation, it is a determination. I think Ireland have always been difficult to beat.
"Now I think there's an element of maybe difficult to play against. I think we've shown a different side of our game, where we can go and try and win games now. I think that there will be that.
"I think everyone loves being down here. I think the people of Cork make an awful lot of noise. We heard that last year. If we can get those numbers up in the next couple of days, I think it's going to be an unbelievable occasion."
Press Conference | Captain Katie McCabe
On moving to Chelsea and leaving Arsenal: "It's coming to an end of a journey. You've been at a football club, I think naturally anybody would find it hard to leave you somewhere after 10 years.
"It's also part of it, it's part of football. Your time comes and I'm just really embracing now the next challenge in my career. As I said, I've got a lot of massive respect for the club and the fan base and my teammates as well.
"But now it's time for something new."
Republic of Ireland WNT Squad - Netherlands
Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton FC), Sophie Whitehouse (Charlton Athletic), Grace Moloney (Sunderland).
Defenders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal FC), Anna Patten (Aston Villa FC), Caitlin Hayes (Brighton & Hove Albion), Hayley Nolan (Crystal Palace), Aoife Mannion (Newcastle United), Jessie Stapleton (West Ham United), Chloe Mustaki (Nottingham Forest).
Midfielders: Tyler Toland (Durham), Megan Connolly (Lazio), Marissa Sheva (Sunderland), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Ruesha Littlejohn (Crystal Palace), Jamie Finn (Sunderland), Aoibheann Clancy (Shelbourne), Jess Ziu (West Ham United).
Attackers: Saoirse Noonan (Celtic FC), Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace), Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool), Kyra Carusa (Kansas City Current - loan), Amber Barrett (Strasbourg).
Fixtures - FIFA 2027 Women's World Cup Qualifiers
05/06 – Ireland v Netherlands, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 7:30 PM
09/06 – France v Ireland, Stade des Alpes, 8:00 PM (9:00 PM Local)
