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Ireland’s Carla Ward Eyes England clash After Nations League Promotion
Ireland’s women’s national team has secured a coveted spot in the top tier of the Nations League and a guaranteed seeded position in world Cup qualifying, fueled by a dramatic 5-4 aggregate victory over Belgium. Manager Carla Ward has openly expressed her desire for a challenging matchup against her home nation, England, in the upcoming draw.
The Republic of Ireland’s ascent comes after a hard-fought 2-1 loss to Belgium on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, but a decisive 4-2 win in the first leg in Dublin propelled them forward. Ward, visibly elated, stated she “would love England at Wembley,” though she playfully acknowledged the likelihood of a match at a different venue, “But they’d probably play us at Pride Park or somewhere, wouldn’t they?!”
This promotion to League A ensures Ireland a seeded place in the play-offs, regardless of their performance in the World Cup qualifiers, which are slated to begin in February. The team’s recent success, built on a five-day stretch of notable performances, demonstrates a notable shift in momentum.
Abbie Larkin‘s 90th-minute goal proved to be the difference-maker, securing the aggregate win for Ireland. Despite trailing by two goals at halftime in Leuven, the team displayed remarkable resilience.”I said, no time for frustration, no time to be p*ed off, we have to stay calm and we have to adapt,” Ward revealed, describing her calm and positive halftime team talk. “We had to regroup, remind them that we’re good enough to go and win this game.”
Ireland’s ability to overcome a physically imposing Belgian side, ranked seven places higher in the world rankings, underscores the progress made under Ward’s leadership. the manager’s tactical ideology, she believes, is finally taking root within the squad. “Belgium are a really good side,” Ward conceded, “They’ve got some remarkable footballers, and I don’t think anyone really gave us a chance coming into thes two games.”
ward reflected on a past critique of the team’s ball skills, noting that recent performances have silenced doubters. “Somebody said to me, ‘they’re just not used to playing with a ball,’ and I think a lot of the press and the public probably said, well, ‘you know, they can’t play football’,” she recalled. “These last two games have shown that we can play with the ball, if we get the structure right off the ball.”
Looking ahead, Ward emphasized the importance of developing young talent, acknowledging that the current squad includes players nearing the end of their careers. She also revealed that the team has a friendly scheduled in November. “We’ve got to look at not just the World Cup, but the Euros as well,” she stated. “I want to be able to leave in a better place.Hopefully I’m here for years to come.” She highlighted the emergence of “unbelievable 15- and 16-year-olds” within the Irish youth system.
The team’s success was further amplified by the unwavering support of over 330 Irish fans who traveled to Leuven, creating a vibrant atmosphere at the Den Dreef Stadium. Ward expressed her gratitude, saying, “They’re coming in numbers and you heard them loud, even in the anthem, everything.” She added, “That connection, the Irish connection is unbelievable. They are a credit.”
RTÉ Sport shared a post on X/Twitter celebrating the victory.
The journey continues for Ireland, with a renewed sense of optimism and a clear vision for sustained success on the international stage.
