Carla Ward names 25-player squad for World Cup qualifiers against Netherlands and France

Emma Duffy Reports from FAI HQ, Abbotstown

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND head coach Carla Ward has named a familiar 25-player squad for the upcoming 2027 Women’s World Cup qualifiers against Netherlands and France.

Jessie Stapleton and Hayley Nolan both return from injury after missing last month’s back-to-back wins over Poland. 

Shelbourne midfielder Aoibheann Clancy retains her place, and is the only League of Ireland Women’s Premier Division player in the selection. Jess Ziu and Jamie Finn are also recalled.

Ward has selected a slightly expanded squad to manage personnel for the opening game against Netherlands at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, for which both Denise O’Sullivan and Emily Murphy are suspended. Katie McCabe captains the squad with her club future uncertain following her recent Arsenal departure.

Notably, there is no room for 19-year-old goalkeeper Katie Keane after a string of impressive performances for Leicester City in the WSL.

Asked about that decision by The 42, Ward said Keane is “very close” to inclusion. 

“I really like Katie. I think she has a big bright future and was absolutely delighted when she came on (at half-time against Arsenal) at the Emirates. That day, how many saves she made and contributed to the game is everything I’ve come to expect from her.

“I like her attitude. I like the way she, you know, not just on the pitch, but the way she carries herself.

“It’s a tough area. Courtney Brosnan, in my opinion, should have been in the team of the season, she’s had an unbelievable year. Sophie was in the team of the season, just pipping Grace. There’s a good crop of them. Katie has a long future with this national team.”  

On the return of defensive duo Stapleton and Nolan, Ward added: “Since I took the job Jessie has been great. She’s got a big, bright future. She is back on the grass, back playing behind closed doors minutes. Really positive to have her back.

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“I’ve really liked Hayley Nolan, since I’ve come in and particularly in America. I think she showed us what she can do. She’s very front-footed in the way she plays and I think she was important to come back in at (Crystal Palace) Palace for them for that run-in and that closing game.

“I think she’s somebody in this system that can play, in my opinion, two or three positions.”

Ireland are in third place in Group A2, all but guaranteed a seeded playoff spot after the crucial Poland double.

They welcome Netherlands to Cork on Friday 5 June, before rounding out their group campaign against France in Grenoble four days later, with direct qualification for next summer’s tournament in Brazil still a possibility. 

Ireland WNT Squad 

Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton FC), Sophie Whitehouse (Charlton Athletic), Grace Moloney (Sunderland).

Defenders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal FC), Anna Patten (Aston Villa FC), Caitlin Hayes (Brighton & Hove Albion), Hayley Nolan (Crystal Palace), Aoife Mannion (Newcastle United), Jessie Stapleton (West Ham United), Chloe Mustaki (Nottingham Forest).

Midfielders: Denise O’Sullivan (Liverpool)*, Tyler Toland (Durham), Megan Connolly (Lazio), Marissa Sheva (Sunderland), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Ruesha Littlejohn (Crystal Palace), Jamie Finn (Sunderland), Aoibheann Clancy (Shelbourne), Jess Ziu (West Ham United). 

Attackers: Saoirse Noonan (Celtic FC), Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace), Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool), Emily Murphy (Newcastle United)*, Kyra Carusa (Kansas City Current – loan), Amber Barrett (Strasbourg).

*Suspended for Netherlands fixture 

Fixtures

Fifa 2027 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers 

5 June: Ireland v Netherlands, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 7.30pm

9 June: France v Ireland, Stade des Alpes, 8pm Irish time (9pm local).

- First published 10.20am, updated at 12.30pm with press conference quotes.