'One of the biggest sporting stories in the world': Ireland manager outlines scale of opportunity

Last Friday’s third straight victory in their group, against a Netherlands team 10 places above in Fifa’s rankings, gives the Girls in Green the opportunity of a virtual Cup final against France in Grenoble on Tuesday.

ALLEZ LES VERTS: Republic of Ireland WNT Head coach Carla Ward speaks to the press. Pic: ©INPHO/Ben Brady

Carla Ward insists that automatic World Cup qualification for Ireland on Tuesday would represent one of the biggest sporting stories in the world.

Last Friday’s third straight victory in their group, against a Netherlands team 10 places above in Fifa’s rankings, gives the Girls in Green the opportunity of a virtual Cup final against France in Grenoble (8pm, Irish time).

The French occupy not only top spot in the pool but the status of fourth best in Europe, although the Irish manager feels their quality warrants higher standing.

Ireland had already secured a seeded playoff later in the year before they beat the Dutch 3-2 in Pairc Uí Chaoimh on Friday but taking the improbable scalp of Les Bleues would send them to Brazil next year as one of only four direct European qualifiers.

“First of all, no matter what happens tomorrow night, this group can be incredibly proud of what we've achieved so far,” said Ward, the former Aston Villa and Birmingham City manager appointed at the start of 2025.

“That is number one and it's important that we don't lose sight of the actual development of the group.

“Of course, we want to go and win this game, wWe wanted to win the game the other night and we made sure we did.

“How big would this be? I think you would all agree it would be one of the biggest sporting stories in world football.

“That’s because no fourth ranked team stays in League A, let alone wins two games and then wins three games and then wins the group.

“We've already written our own records, and this would be the biggest one, no doubt about it.”

Ward has Denise O’Sullivan and Emily Murphy returning from suspension, only missing Leanne Kiernan after her late dismissal on Friday. Everyone else is fit and available.

Courtney Brosnan will remain in goal after the Everton stopper produced a series of saves to repel the Dutch.

“Being in League A is where we want to be, but when you’re in League A, the competition and the quality of teams is right there at the top,” she said.

“That’s who we want to be playing against. We’ve worked to get into this position and want to go one further against France.”