Ireland drawn with co-hosts Australia and Olympic gold medalists Canada in Women’s World Cup

Republic of Ireland manager Vera Pauw and Katie McCabe celebrate after the FIFA Women's World Cup Qualifying Group A match at the Tallaght Stadium in Dublin, Ireland. Picture date: Thursday September 1, 2022.

Ireland’s maiden Women’s World Cup odyssey will entail facing co-hosts Australia, along with Olympic gold medalists Canada and Nigeria.

The schedule sees Ireland involved in the opening day, July 20, against the Matildas at the recently rebuilt Alliance Park in Sydney. The 42,000-seater arena, which cost $828m, last month played host to its first football, ironically a women’s friendly between Australia and Canada, which ended with a 2-1 win over the visitors.