The Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team will begin their new FIFA Women's World Cup European qualifying campaign with a massive test against France at Tallaght Stadium tomorrow night, Tuesday, March 3. The kick-off is set for 7:30pm.

Carla Ward's side comes into the game on a wave of confidence following their impressive promotion to League A at the end of last year. A memorable aggregate victory over Belgium in the play-offs, sealed by Abbie Larkin's dramatic last-minute goal, secured Ireland's place in the top tier of European international football for the first time.

The campaign starts with two of the toughest fixtures possible. After welcoming France to Dublin tomorrow, the Girls in Green will travel to Utrecht to face the Netherlands on Saturday, March 7, with kick-off at 7:45 pm (8:45 pm local time).

Team News 

Tara O'Hanlon comes into the squad as Hayley Nolan is a doubt for the match following a knock in training. 

Match Details

Fixture: Republic of Ireland v France
Competition: UEFA Women's European Qualifiers 
Date: Tuesday, March 3
Kick-off: 7.30pm
Location: Tallaght Stadium, Dublin
TV: RTE
Tickets: Available here

Press Conference | Head Coach Carla Ward

"They're one of the best in the world. If it were a France-Netherlands World Cup final, I don't think anybody would be complaining. We're talking about our next two opponents, who are arguably up there with the very, very best.

“France are deadly in transition, they're aggressive, they're front-footed, they've got world-class talent in every single position.

“Their strength in depth is something that not many other nations have. Look, we know what we're up against, and let's be really clear, we're up against one of the very best in world football.”

Press Conference | Captain Katie McCabe

“I don’t think we can ever sit still in international football. Last year, we went through a bit of a transition period, new manager coming in, players retiring,” said McCabe.

“If I look at how we started last year to how we finished it, there was a massive shift in our mentality and going into these games, we know the job at hand, we know we are going into League A.

“But in order for us to be thinking about going to major tournaments, we need to be competing against the best and need to show ourselves against the best teams in the world and that is what France are.

“I mean, look at them at the Euros and I played against some of their players in Europe and they are really, really high-quality and we need to be really focused, switched on and disciplined going into the game tomorrow night.”

MATCH FACTS  

- There are currently 20 places between France (7) and Ireland (27) in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings. 

- Ireland WNT will be playing their 35th official game in Tallaght Stadium, where their record is P34 | W19 | D3 | L12 | GF64 | GA38 

- Ireland WNT have hosted France once in Tallaght Stadium – a 3-0 defeat in an International Friendly on 06/07/2023 

- Defender Anna Patten made her Ireland WNT debut away to France in Metz on 05/04/2024. 

- Four Ireland WNT players, in the current squad, have played club football in France – Courtney Brosnan (Thonan Evian, Le Harve), Chloe Mustaki (Girondins de Bordeaux), Kyra Carusa (Le Harve), Amber Barrett (Strasbourg) 

- Five Ireland WNT players have scored in official games against France – Stephanie Roche (25/02/2010), Áine O’Gorman (22/09/2011), Denise O’Sullivan, Julie-Ann Russell, Anna Patten (16/07/2024) 

Ireland WNT Squad - France & the Netherlands

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 (Nottingham Forest - loan), Chloe Mustaki (Nottingham Forest) Tara O'Hanlon (Celtic - loan).

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).

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

FIXTURE DETAILS

Republic of Ireland v France
FIFA Women's World Cup European Qualifier
Tuesday, March 3 | Tallaght Stadium | 7.30pm

Netherlands v Republic of Ireland
FIFA Women's World Cup European Qualifier
Saturday, March 7 | Stadion Galgenwaard, Utrecht | 7.45pm (Irish Time)