IRELAND will face Belgium in the UEFA Women’s Nations League promotion-relegation play-off in October looking to secure an easier passage to the 2027 World Cup.
The Girls in Green were drawn against the Red Flames in a tie where they will be underdogs against a side that are going to this summer’s European Championships.
But their Nations League campaign was disappointing as they won just two of their League A games against England and Portugal to finish third and go into a play-off.
And Ireland boss Carla Ward acknowledged that it will be a tough challenge for the Girls in Green.
Ward said: “We now know our opponents for this Play-Off and our preparation for those two games starts now.
“We know that Belgium are a very good team with a strong history in women’s football, so this will be a difficult challenge for us but one that we are excited to take on.
“Having won five of our six group games in the Nations League and ended with a very good performance against Slovenia, we are building day by day, game by game.
“We have a fantastic team spirit, a brilliant support staff and a group of players who are ready to take that next step in their progression.
“We want to reach League A to play against top-ranked teams and be in the best position possible going into the 2027 FIFA World Cup qualifiers next year.”
Winning the play-off to secure League A status for the World Cup qualifiers is a big boost for that aim.
If Ireland are in League A, Ireland will compete for automatic qualification but are guaranteed a play-off spot even before a ball is kicked.
But if they are in League B, there is no automatic qualification and the Girls in Green would have to finish in the top three of a four team group – something they would be expected to do in League B – to secure a play-off.
The home leg will be on Friday October 24 though no venue has been confirmed yet with the away leg in Belgium on Tuesday October 28.
