The Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team will face reigning World Champions Spain, former World Champions Norway and Switzerland in League A of the 2027 UEFA Women’s Nations League, following Tuesday’s draw at UEFA headquarters in Nyon.
It is a demanding group, but one that promises another series of high-profile occasions against some of Europe’s strongest opponents, with the campaign beginning in February and the full fixture schedule due to be confirmed later this month.
Spain will provide the headline attraction, with the two countries not having met since April 2016, when the Spanish secured a 3-0 victory in qualification for UEFA Women’s EURO 2017. Much has changed in the intervening decade, not least Spain’s emergence as the dominant force in the women’s international game.
“Who doesn’t want to play against the world champions?” said Ward following the draw.
“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.
“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.”
Norway will provide another stern examination, bringing the pedigree of former World Champions and a squad rich in experience at the highest level of European club football. There will be an interesting personal dimension too, with Ward facing her friend Gemma Grainger, now in charge of the Norwegian side.
Switzerland complete a group in which every point will have to be earned, with Ireland well aware of the standards required to compete at this level.
“We respect every opponent, but we also back ourselves. We genuinely believe we can go toe-to-toe with the best and get results,” Ward said.
The growing willingness to stage major women’s internationals at the Aviva Stadium has helped broaden the audience for the national team, while the calibre of opposition in League A offers the FAI and its commercial partners further opportunities to build on that interest.
Where major tournaments have traditionally provided the biggest moments of visibility for women’s football, a regular programme of competitive fixtures against leading European nations can help sustain supporter engagement throughout the international calendar.
Northern Ireland will also have a challenging campaign in League B, having been drawn alongside Poland, Finland and Belarus in Group B3. Michael McArdle’s side were third seeds in the draw and will be looking to maintain their position in the second tier while challenging for the promotion opportunities available to the top two teams.
An intriguing connection links the two Irish draws, with Poland also providing the Republic’s immediate opposition in December’s World Cup Play-Off. Finland are another formidable opponent, ranked 22nd in the world, while Belarus complete a group in which Northern Ireland will be seeking to recover from their October play-off defeat to Portugal.
McArdle will have an opportunity to prepare his squad through two home friendlies against Greece at Inver Park in Larne on November 27 and December 1, ahead of a Nations League programme that will help determine the qualifying structure for UEFA Women’s EURO 2029.
The Republic’s immediate focus, however, remains on Poland and the two-legged FIFA Women’s World Cup Play-Off.
The opening leg takes place in Gdańsk on Tuesday, December 1, with the return at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, December 5, kicking off at 5pm.
“Every single matchday matters now, and that’s what we thrive on,” Ward said.
“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.”
The Nations League draw offers plenty to look forward to, but the most important date on Ireland’s immediate calendar remains December 5, when a place at the World Cup will be on the line at the Aviva Stadium.
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