Ireland's route to Euro 2025 under new boss Eileen Gleeson

The Irish will be in League A for the draw on Monday, March 5, certain to be pooled alongside three other nations among the top 16 in Europe.

Mon, 18 Dec, 2023 - 16:33

John Fallon

Now Ireland have their new head coach in place – and a recruit in the shape of Caitilin Hayes - they can start plotting their route towards a European Championship debut.

Eileen Gleeson’s feat of guiding the team through their Nations League campaign with a 100% record not only secured her the job on a permanent basis but the team a place within the top tier for the qualifiers.

The Irish will be in League A for the draw on Monday, March 5, certain to be pooled alongside three other nations among the top 16 in Europe.

From being in Pot 4 as one of the League B winners, they will definitely meet one of the superpowers – be that Netherlands, France, Germany or World champions Spain, with European champions England the nation to avoid from Pot 2.

Pot 3 will consist of the victors from February’s playoff ties.

While Gleeson’s predecessor Vera Pauw slated UEFA’s decision to link the new Nations League concept to Euro qualifiers, successful teams are better off when it comes to reaching Switzerland in July 2025.

By being promoted to League A, the Irish will book a direct ticket to the showpiece should they claim one of the top two spots after their six games against the opponents, home and away, are completed.

Those qualifiers will be blitzed in three double-headers from April to July of next year, with Aviva Stadium likely to stage at least two of Ireland’s home matches.

If results go with seeding, Ireland will remain in contention regardless.

Teams finishing third and fourth in League A will play the five group winners and three best-ranked runners-up in League C. The eight winners progress to the second round.

In the other playoff route, the four group winners and two best-ranked runners-up in League B will be drawn into six ties against the remaining two runners-up and four third-placed teams in League B. The six winners progress to the second round.

That series produces seven teams to join the eight from the top two of the four League A pools and hosts Switzerland at the finals.

Ireland’s path to Euro 2025 in Switzerland:

Euro qualifiers League A pots for draw on March 5:

1: Netherlands, France, Germany, Spain.

2: England, Austria, Denmark, Italy.

3: Playoff winners (Feb 21): Serbia/Iceland, Hungary/Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina/Sweden, Croatia/Norway.

4: Ireland, Finland, Poland, Czech Republic.

Women's EURO 2025 calendar:

Qualifying draw: March 5.

Qualifying matchdays 1 & 2: April 3–9, 2024

Qualifying matchdays 3 & 4: May 29– June 4,2024

Qualifying matchdays 5 & 6: July 10–16, 2024.