Ireland's route to Brazil: How the Women's World Cup play-offs work

A play-off final for Ireland against Belgium or Poland awaits

Ireland lead Kazakhstan 8-0 in the first leg of their World Cup play-off. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Eleven European nations are guaranteed to qualify for next year’s Women’s World Cup in Brazil, the tenth edition and last with 32 teams before an expansion to 48 from 2031.

Only four teams sealed their direct route to the finals under Uefa’s format, they being the winners of the four League A mini-groups; Germany, Denmark, champions Spain and France, the team that topped Ireland’s pool.

Of the remainder, 32 are funnelled into a convoluted play-off system, split into two phases.

Because Ireland finished ninth in the overall standings across top-tier groups, avoiding bottom spot by beating Poland twice and France once, they were placed on the easier path as a seeded team.

Their reward was drawing a League C opponents in their semi, and Kazakhstan were the most favourable of the options.

As with the semi, another advantage conferred on the seeded team in being at home in the second leg. Belgium lead Poland 1-0 in the other semi-final of Ireland’s pathway ahead of their rematch in Gdansk (5pm).

Even victory in that final doesn’t necessarily secure a flight to Brazil next summer but one earlier in February.

Eight victors will emerge from the finals in early December but the lowest seeded of those must participate in an Intercontinental tournament.

The venue for that mini-tournament has yet to be confirmed but that last version, in 2023, was held by co-hosts New Zealand.