The road to the World Cup in Brazil 2027 has started for the Republic of Ireland women’s senior side. A tough draw for Carla Ward’s team. Hawkeye Sidekick reflects on the draw.
The Belgian playoff win is the safety blanket. The Republic of Ireland, at worst, will be in a playoff. This will secure their passage to Brazil. This draw avoids the likes of England and Spain. It does pit the Republic of Ireland against France and the Netherlands, who are elite. Poland impressed in their Group B Nations League campaign. They secured automatic promotion to Group A. This achievement provides a challenging qualification fixture block.
France
The standout side in this group. France were incredibly unlucky to exit the Euros on penalties against Germany in the quarter final. The side were impressive in the pool stages of the tournament easily accounting for England, Wales and Netherlands.
The squad profile average blends youth with experience. As you would expect, Lyon and Paris Saint Germain representation is assured. The side boasts pace in abundance in wide and striking areas. They are defensively on point with players like Peyraud-Magnin, Karchaoui, Mbock Bathy, and Geyoro in their ranks.
France have no weak points. Malard, DIani and Baltimore are the key attacking players of note but this side can hurt you from anywhere. Ireland, Netherlands and Poland will be under no illusions of their task when playing this French side.
Netherlands
A team with a point to prove. Nations League this year was good. Germany pipped Netherlands for top spot in their Group A. The Euros was a massive disappointment. In the group of death, they started well with a comfortable win over Wales.
The wheels though came off spectacularly against England in the second group game. A four nil loss to England was kind to the Netherlands. France’s pace in the attacking areas was too much losing 2-5 to exit the tournament.
The October friendlies saw stalemate against Poland in Gdansk. A game where Netherlands enjoyed the lions share of possession but a lack of guile in attack exposed. The Canadian win was welcome. Wilms with the winner just before the half hour.
Netherlands have incredible talent in their squad. Wilms, Janssen are defensive leaders. Spitse and Roord are vastly experienced international midfielders. Miedema is the marquee striker for the side. The Manchester City player has scored one hundred goals in one hundred and twenty-nine internationals.
There are questions for the Netherlands to answer in this qualification campaign. Transition issues out of possession is an area of interest. A second seed who has vulnerabilities but do have significant attacking threat.
Poland
A side who resemble Slovenia in their progression and potential. Poland stormed to automatic promotion to Nations League Group A earlier in the year. Dominance seen throughout that campaign as they accounted for Northern Ireland, Romania and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
They participated last summer’s Euros in Switzerland. Their group was treacherous with Germany, Sweden and Denmark for company. Poland competed admirably against Germany before losing 0-2 with two second half goal concessions.
Sweden exposed squad depth issues with a comfortable 3-0 win over Poland in match day two. Then, Poland beat Denmark 3-2 in the group finale. The team had a dominant opening half, scoring goals from Padilla and Pajor. Wiankowska scored in the second half to secure the win.
Poland have kept themselves busy in October with two competitive friendlies. They drew with the Netherlands in Gdansk, a game where Poland showed defensive shape and absorbed any Netherlands threat.
Their friendly win over Wales at Rodney Parade showing their goal threat when given time and space. Five goals scored to secure the win.
Poland’s squad age profile is low to mid-twenties. The squad comprises of players across continental Europe. Szemik plays for West Ham United. Wiankowska plays for FC Koln and has represented her county ninety-eight times. Kamczyk has one hundred and five international caps, plays her football at Fleury.
The attacking threat comes primarily from Zawistowska who plays her club football with Bayern Munich. She has scored nine goals in forty-five international caps. Natalia Padilla also plays for Bayern Munich and has scored thirteen goals in forty-nine international caps.
Poland have arranged a friendly with Slovenia later this month. This will be an interesting fixture to further gauge the Polish challenge in this qualification group.
A competitive World Cup qualification campaign beckons for the Republic of Ireland side. Carla Ward reiterated the need to play better opposition. This group assignment ticks all the boxes. Republic of Ireland performance levels will need to improve to compete in this group.
World Cup Qualifying Draw:
Group A1: Sweden, Italy, Denmark, Serbia
Sweden the standout team and should top the group. Second place is up for grabs.
Group A2: France, Netherlands, Poland, Republic of Ireland
Tough group. France to advance. Netherlands vulnerabilities in the Euros opens the door for others to secure second spot.
Group A3: Spain, England, Iceland, Ukraine
Spain and England fixtures will be incredible. Iceland and Ukraine are very competitive sides. This is a tough group.
Group A4: Germany, Norway, Austria, Slovenia
Interesting group. Austria and Slovenia are improving all the time. Norway look primed for a good tilt at top spot along. Germany will start this group as favorites to top the group.
Group B1: Wales, Czechia, Albania, Montenegro
Wales will be happy with this group. The other three sides are fighting for second spot.
Group B2: Switzerland, Northern Ireland, Turkey, Malta
Northern Ireland have a tricky route to the World Cup. Turkey improved in the last Nations League while Switzerland look favored to top the group.
Group B3: Portugal, Finland, Slovakia, Latvia
Portugal will be happy with the group. Finland and Slovakia will represent the main challenge for the Portuguese.
Group B4: Belgium, Scotland, Israel, Luxembourg
Scotland will be content with the group. Belgium have shown vulnerabilities in their Nations League promotion / relegation playoff loss to the Republic of Ireland. Israel and Luxembourg have shown precious little to suggest any challenge to the other sides in this group.