Updated / Wednesday, 17 Jun 2026 17:56
It's going to be a big autumn for the Republic of Ireland
What's happening and when?
The draw for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup play-off semi-finals and final takes place in Nyon, Switzerland on Thursday morning, 11am Irish time.
How are the Republic of Ireland looking?
The Girls in Green missed out on direct qualification last week when they lost to France, who topped League A Group 2 to go straight to Brazil. However Ireland's third-placed finish in the group means they enter the two-legged play-offs as a seeded country.
It offers them a kinder pathway, on paper at least. Ireland will also have home advantage in the semi-final second leg and (should they get there) the second leg of the final.
So who can Ireland get in the semi-finals?
As a seeded nation, Carla Ward's side - ranked 21st in the world - are in Path 1. They'll face a League C country, which will be one of the following (world ranking in brackets): Hungary (45), Greece (59), Romania (53), Belarus (52), Kosovo (85), Lithuania (94), Croatia (63), Kazakhstan (100).
Ireland would be strong favourites to beat any of those countries over two legs.
And if they reach the final?
If the Girls in Green get through the semis they'd take on the winner of a Path 2 tie between a League B second/third-placed team and a League A last-placed team/League B winner.
That could pit Ireland against Belgium (18), who they beat in the Nations League promotion/relegation play-off last October, or Poland (29), who they defeated twice in group qualification.
Finland (24), Scotland (25), Portugal (22), Switzerland (26) and Wales (30) are other dangerous opponents potentially waiting in the long grass.
Ireland could also meet Slovenia (38), Serbia (35), Ukraine (34), Turkey (46), Czechia (33), Albania (67), Northern Ireland (50), Slovakia (54) or Israel (66).
When and where will the games take place?
The semi-final legs take place on 7 and 13 October, with Ireland likely to play the home game at Tallaght Stadium. The final is slated for 26 November (away) and 5 December (home).
The FAI have not confirmed venues yet, but a return to Aviva Stadium would be anticipated. Ireland played Wales at Lansdowne Road in the second leg of the Euro 2025 play-off final back in December 2024.
Win the two play-offs and Ireland are there, yes?
Yes. The seven best-ranked play-off final winners according to the European Qualifiers overall league rankings qualify directly for the World Cup. The one remaining play-off final winner would head for the inter-confederation play-offs in February 2027, but Ireland won't have to worry about that. They're currently ranked ninth in the overall league rankings . Of the teams in the play-offs, only England, Norway, Netherlands and Italy are higher.
Poland, for example, are 14th, while Belgium are 22nd.
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