The Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team will begin their preparations for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup with a training camp from next week in Spain, followed by an International Friendly against Morocco.
Following on from the World Cup Draw, which paired Ireland with Australia, Canada and Nigeria in Group B, the squad is now ready to return to action. The players who will be part of the traveling party will be named later today.
“It has been a challenge to find an opponent at such short notice but we are really pleased that we can confirm this training camp in Marbella followed by a game against Morocco which will represent an ideal test as we begin our World Cup preparations,” said Manager Vera Pauw.
The FAI has stepped up to fund the training camp which had not originally been budgeted for
“While we would have liked to play in front of our fans, it has not been possible to find a suitable opponent for a home fixture so we will have to wait until next year to thank our fans for their unbelievable support that helped us to achieve qualification to our first ever World Cup,” continued Pauw.
“We have international windows in February, April and June next year to continue our preparations for the World Cup and we are busy working on our plans around those dates. But, right now, we want to make the most of this camp which gives us the opportunity to see all of our players playing under the type of pressure that you only get in international football.”
On Monday, November 7th, the squad will link up in Marbella, Spain for an eight-day training camp that will include a behind-closed-doors game against a Morocco team and a full International Friendly against the same opponent on Monday, November 14th in the Marbella Football Center. Details on the broadcasting of the game will be announced next week.
Morocco has also qualified for next summer’s World Cup – drawn into Group H with Colombia, Germany, and South Korea. This will be the first meeting between Ireland and Morocco at senior women’s level.
There was more positive news for the Women’s game with UEFA’s announcement of a Women’s nations League to be introduced in Autumn 2023.
To be run along the same lines as the Men’s competition, which has provided greater structure to the former random friendly landscape, as well as a pathway to major tournament qualification.
There will be three different grades of League with 16 teams in each playing in four different groups. The Republic of Ireland are currently ranked 15th in Europe which would mean the possibility of a group including England, Germany, France, Italy, Sweden and other glamour ties. Northern Ireland are ranked 28th which would mean a likely B League placing.
