Ireland to face world champions Spain in 2027 Women's Nations League

Ireland have also been drawn against Norway and Switzerland. The first games will be played in February 2027

Carla Ward: 'From the moment I took this job, I’ve said time and time again that we want to test ourselves against the very best, and this is our opportunity.' Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Ireland’s women will take on world champions Spain in next year’s Uefa Nations League campaign, following Tuesday's draw in Nyon.

By finishing ninth across Europe in the World Cup qualifying campaign, Ireland kept their place among the top-16 nations and will share company with the best countries in competitive action across 2027.

Ireland’s four-nation group is completed by Norway and Switzerland. Fixtures will be confirmed shortly by Uefa but the windows begin in February 2027.

All of this will come after Ireland confront their biggest games for four years, when they meet Poland on December 1 and 5, in a playoff for next year’s World Cup in Brazil.

Ireland will be favourites to make back-to-back World Cup appearances after beating the Polish in both meetings in April, 3-2 in Gdansk followed by a 1-0 triumph at home. Barcelona striker Ewa Pajor, who was marginally edged by Alexia Putellas for last week’s Ballon D’Or, is the opponent Ireland must thwart to complete their mission.

The headline clash against Spain, who beat England in the 2023 final in Australia, marks the first meeting between the two nations in over a decade. Their last encounter came in April 2016, when Spain secured a 3-0 victory in Uefa Women’s Euro 2017 qualifying.

Ireland manager Carla Ward is only contracted to the FAI for the remainder of this campaign but spoke about the outcome of the draw for the team’s 2027 schedule.

"Who doesn't want to play against the world champions?” she said.

“From the moment I took this job, I’ve said time and time again that we want to test ourselves against the very best, and this is our opportunity. Spain are the best team in the world right now; their quality is exceptional and nobody really comes close to them.

"We know the challenge ahead. It’s going to be a game where we have to be extraordinarily disciplined, stay compact, and frustrate them.

“We’ve shown against sides like France and the Netherlands that we have that resilience in our DNA, and that has to be the exact mindset we bring to the pitch."

She added: "There are no easy games at this level in League A.

“Norway have real prestige as former world champions, and on paper they possess one of the strongest squads in world football. They're also managed by a good friend of mine in Gemma Grainger, so I'm really looking forward to going up against her.

"Switzerland are another really difficult prospect, just off the back of a solid campaign and are a very capable, developing side who have picked up strong results recently. We respect every opponent, but we also back ourselves. We genuinely believe we can go toe-to-toe with the best and get results.

"Every single matchday matters now, and that’s what we thrive on. You learn so much more when you compete against elite opposition. To be in these conversations, in this league, and drawn against these teams is a clear reflection of the strides and progress this squad continues to make."

Uefa Nations League draw 

A1: Spain, Norway, Republic of Ireland, Switzerland

A2: France, England, Austria, Portugal 

A3: Denmark, Italy, Iceland, Wales 

A4: Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, Scotland 

The four group winners will qualify for the Olympics.