Ireland women tipped to win their inaugural Uefa Nations League group

Manager Vera Pauw is expected to agree a contract extension before the World Cup to cover the Nations League and she spelt out the objective of claiming supremacy in their pool.

EXPECTATIONS: Republic of Ireland manager Vera Pauw. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Ireland will be favourites to top their Women’s Nations League group and earn promotion to the top tier for the next Euro qualification campaign.

All eyes are on Australia in July and Ireland’s maiden World Cup finals appearance but the road to Switzerland in 2025 pits Ireland against Northern Ireland, Hungary and Albania in a group to be contested, home and away, on dates between September and December.