Republic of Ireland bid for Women's World Cup glory against France in 2026

Republic of Ireland can secure automatic qualification for the 2027 Women's World Cup with a win over France.

Irish set for historic clash Carla Ward, manager of the Republic of Ireland women's team, has described beating France on Tuesday as a potential landmark moment that would rank among football's most remarkable achievements. The Irish squad currently sits second in Group A2, trailing group leaders France by a single point, with only the group winners earning automatic qualification for next year's tournament in Brazil. Ward's team has already secured a seeded play-off spot for the autumn but could surpass expectations by becoming the first fourth-seeded side in League A to top a group, an accomplishment she believes deserves widespread recognition. 'No matter what happens this group can be incredibly proud of what we've achieved so far and it's important we don't lose sight of that,' she stated. ## Path to potential glory The Republic of Ireland began their campaign with two consecutive defeats, falling 2-1 to France and the Netherlands in March, before bouncing back in April with victories over Poland. Their positive momentum continued into June when they displayed remarkable resilience to edge out the Netherlands 3-2 in a challenging match played in torrential rain at Cork. This performance set up a decisive showdown with France in Grenoble, where the outcome will determine automatic qualification. Ward admitted that while she initially aimed for at least a third-place finish—which would still keep them in the top tier and secure a play-off—her players have exceeded those expectations by putting themselves in a position to claim the top spot. 'Everyone called it the group of death but we saw it as an opportunity for this group to show what they're about,' she noted. 'The group deserve an awful lot of credit because they're showing it in abundance.' ## Underdog status fuels ambition Despite being massive underdogs against a France side boasting a star-studded squad, Ward believes her team has 'nothing to lose and everything to gain,' particularly as Les Bleues face pressure to secure a home victory. She expects France to come out aggressively but downplays any notion of being underestimated, recalling the respect shown by the French during their previous encounter. Ward emphasized the importance of managing every moment, stating that the pressure has shifted away from Ireland, creating a calm and focused environment. 'I expect the French to come after us but I don't think they will underestimate us, they were really respectful when we played them last time. We have to manage every moment so we'll leave no stone unturned. The pressure is off and I mean it when I say it, there is a real calm and a real focus on the game. The processes stay the same and nothing will change.' ## Historic significance of victory Ward stressed that no fourth-seeded team in League A has ever remained in the division, let alone won three matches and claimed a group title. She framed the potential victory over France as the most significant achievement yet for the group, one that would rewrite records and capture global attention. 'No pot four team stays in League A let alone wins three games and wins the group. We've written our own records and this would be the biggest one, no doubt about it,' she declared. The team's journey from early defeats to potential group-topping glory has already been celebrated, but Ward insists the focus remains on the upcoming match and the chance to create football history.