The Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team stands on the precipice of footballing history.

On Tuesday night, under the lights of the Stade des Alpes in Grenoble, Carla Ward’s side face France in their final group qualifier, with a history-making place at the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil the ultimate prize.

The equation is simple: a victory over the world-class French team will secure direct, automatic qualification to a major tournament for the first time in Irish history.

Ireland enters this final-day showdown brimming with belief following Friday night's breathtaking 3-2 victory over the Netherlands at a rocking Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

On a night of unparalleled drama in Cork, Kyra Carusa opened the scoring with a clinical, first-time finish before Abbie Larkin restored Ireland's lead with a sensational front-post strike. When the Dutch hit back to level, it was substitute Amber Barrett who once again cemented her status as Ireland's ultimate big-game hero, poking home a dramatic 89th-minute winner to send the nation into raptures and blow Group A2 wide open. 

In the return fixture at the start of the campaign, Ireland pushed France all of the way in a narrow 2-1 defeat but confidence is high that the group can secure their spot in Brazil tomorrow night. 

Match Details

Fixture: France v Republic of Ireland
Competition: UEFA Women's World Cup Qualifier
Date: Tuesday, June 9
Kick-off: 8pm (9pm local)
Location: Stade des Alpes, Grenoble
TV: RTE 2 / RTE Player

Match Officials

Referee: Désirée Blanco (SUI)
Assistant Referee 1: Susanne Küng (SUI)
Assistant Referee 2: Melissa Correia Dos Santos (SUI)
Fourth Official: Michèle Schmölzer (SUI)

Team News

Influential duo Emily Murphy and Denise O'Sullivan are back in contention having served their suspension in the Netherlands game. Everyone else is fit and in contention to play in Grenoble tomorrow night. 

Press Conference | Head Coach Carla Ward

"No matter what happens tomorrow night, this group of players can be incredibly proud of what they have achieved so far. First and foremost, the development of this group has been outstanding. But if we were to go out and get the win we need, I think everyone would agree it would be one of the biggest sporting stories in world football.

"By rights, a Pot Four team isn't expected to even stay in League A, let alone win two or three matches, and be on the verge of winning the group. We have already written our own history and broken records along this journey, but tomorrow night represents our biggest opportunity yet.

"The pressure is completely off us. There is a real sense of calm and a sharp focus around the squad. We truly have nothing to lose and absolutely everything to gain. Our processes stay exactly the same; we won't change how we prepare. It’s another game of football, and we are going out there to try and win it.

"We are kicking off at 9:00 PM local time, which will definitely help take the sting out of the heat. In our last game in Cork, the rain was torrential, and tomorrow will be the opposite, but we will compete in whatever conditions are put in front of us. The girls are highly adaptable and there will be no issues whatsoever."

Press Conference | Goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan

"It feels amazing. We’ve said it a million times: playing in League A against the very best teams in the world is exactly where we want to be as a squad. To be heading into the final game of the campaign with a genuine chance at automatic qualification is unbelievable. It shows how much we have progressed and grown as a team, and the win against the Netherlands on Friday has given us massive confidence that we belong on this stage.

"As a goalkeeper, you have to be that calm presence. I want to do whatever it takes to help this team succeed—whether that means making no saves, one save, or ten saves in a match. We are such a united, strong squad. When we step over that white line tomorrow night, we are going to give absolutely everything to get the result the country deserves.

"Looking back now, my spell playing in France was a massive stepping stone in my career. Moving from university in the US to a new country where I didn't speak the language was scary, and I was a very different person back then. But it challenged me in all the right ways, helped me grow both as a footballer and a person, and allowed me to eventually make the move to England. I look back on my time in France with really fond memories."

Republic of Ireland WNT Squad - France

Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton FC), Sophie Whitehouse (Charlton Athletic), Grace Moloney (Sunderland).

Defenders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal FC), Anna Patten (Aston Villa FC), Caitlin Hayes (Brighton & Hove Albion), Hayley Nolan (Crystal Palace), Aoife Mannion (Newcastle United), Jessie Stapleton (West Ham United), Chloe Mustaki (Nottingham Forest).

Midfielders: Denise O'Sullivan (Liverpool), Tyler Toland (Durham), Megan Connolly (Lazio), Marissa Sheva (Sunderland), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Ruesha Littlejohn (Crystal Palace), Jamie Finn (Sunderland), Aoibheann Clancy (Shelbourne), Jess Ziu (West Ham United). 

Attackers: Emily Murphy (Newcastle United), Saoirse Noonan (Celtic FC), Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace), Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool), Kyra Carusa (Kansas City Current - loan), Amber Barrett (Strasbourg).

Result/Fixture - FIFA 2027 Women's World Cup Qualifiers

05/06 – Ireland 3-2 Netherlands, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Cork
09/06 – France v Ireland, Stade des Alpes, 8:00 PM (9:00 PM Local)