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Northern Ireland face a difficult 2027 Women's World Cup play-off with Portugal, while the Republic of Ireland will take on Kazakhstan.
Michael McArdle's side will be underdogs against Portugal, who beat NI twice in Euro 2025 qualifying.
If they can win that game, then either Iceland or Croatia await in the second round of play-offs.
Given their world ranking, even if Northern Ireland could stun two of Europe's biggest sides they could still face an additional inter-continental play-off to make it to the finals.
The Republic of Ireland, who qualified for a first World Cup in 2023, will face a first round tie with Kazakhstan.
If Carla Ward's side win their first round, then they will face either Belgium or Poland in a bid to reach the finals.
The first round ties will take place in October, while the second play-off round are scheduled for the international window in November and December.
The Republic of Ireland made history by qualifying for the World Cup in 2023 and will be hopeful of qualifying for back-to-back tournaments.
Ward's side had a strong qualifying campaign and narrowly missed out on automatic qualification after losing in France in their final game.
While they have to travel a long way for their play-off with Kazakhstan, it is a tie the Republic will be favourites to win, especially with a home second leg.
If they can navigate the first round, then a difficult second round tie with either Poland or Belgium awaits.
Despite being the lower seeded team, Belgium will be more dangerous opponents for Ward's side.
Last year, Abbie Larkin scored a last-minute goal in Belgium to earn promotion to League A on agrregate, which was the springboard for their qualifying campaign.
The Republic of Ireland twice defeated Poland in World Cup qualifying - a 3-2 win in Gdansk before a 1-0 victory in Dublin - so will be optimistic should they meet again in the second play-off round.
It's a difficult route to Brazil for the Republic of Ireland, but it is certainly achievable.
First round path one:
Lithuania v Sweden
Romania v Norway
Greece v England
Croatia v Iceland
Kazakhstan v Republic of Ireland
Kosovo v Austria
Hungary v Netherlands
Belarus v Italy
First round path two:
Albania v Wales
Turkey v Slovenia
Slovakia v Ukraine
Israel v Switzerland
Belgium v Poland
Czech Republic v Scotland
Northern Ireland v Portugal
Finland v Serbia
Second round:
Slovakia or Ukraine v Greece or England
Finland or Serbia v Belarus or Italy
Northern Ireland or Portugal v Croatia or Iceland
Albania or Wales v Romania or Norway
Israel or Switzerland v Kosovo or Austria
Czech Republic or Scotland v Lithuania or Sweden
Belgium or Poland v Kazakhstan or the Republic of Ireland
Turkey or Slovenia v Hungary or Netherlands
[BBC]
New episodes of Women's Football Weekly podcast drop every Tuesday on BBC Sounds, plus find interviews and extra content from the Women's Super League and beyond on the Women's Football Weekly feed
Continue reading...
Michael McArdle's side will be underdogs against Portugal, who beat NI twice in Euro 2025 qualifying.
If they can win that game, then either Iceland or Croatia await in the second round of play-offs.
Given their world ranking, even if Northern Ireland could stun two of Europe's biggest sides they could still face an additional inter-continental play-off to make it to the finals.
The Republic of Ireland, who qualified for a first World Cup in 2023, will face a first round tie with Kazakhstan.
If Carla Ward's side win their first round, then they will face either Belgium or Poland in a bid to reach the finals.
The first round ties will take place in October, while the second play-off round are scheduled for the international window in November and December.
Difficult tie for Republic of Ireland
The Republic of Ireland made history by qualifying for the World Cup in 2023 and will be hopeful of qualifying for back-to-back tournaments.
Ward's side had a strong qualifying campaign and narrowly missed out on automatic qualification after losing in France in their final game.
While they have to travel a long way for their play-off with Kazakhstan, it is a tie the Republic will be favourites to win, especially with a home second leg.
If they can navigate the first round, then a difficult second round tie with either Poland or Belgium awaits.
Despite being the lower seeded team, Belgium will be more dangerous opponents for Ward's side.
Last year, Abbie Larkin scored a last-minute goal in Belgium to earn promotion to League A on agrregate, which was the springboard for their qualifying campaign.
The Republic of Ireland twice defeated Poland in World Cup qualifying - a 3-2 win in Gdansk before a 1-0 victory in Dublin - so will be optimistic should they meet again in the second play-off round.
It's a difficult route to Brazil for the Republic of Ireland, but it is certainly achievable.
Play-off draw
First round path one:
Lithuania v Sweden
Romania v Norway
Greece v England
Croatia v Iceland
Kazakhstan v Republic of Ireland
Kosovo v Austria
Hungary v Netherlands
Belarus v Italy
First round path two:
Albania v Wales
Turkey v Slovenia
Slovakia v Ukraine
Israel v Switzerland
Belgium v Poland
Czech Republic v Scotland
Northern Ireland v Portugal
Finland v Serbia
Second round:
Slovakia or Ukraine v Greece or England
Finland or Serbia v Belarus or Italy
Northern Ireland or Portugal v Croatia or Iceland
Albania or Wales v Romania or Norway
Israel or Switzerland v Kosovo or Austria
Czech Republic or Scotland v Lithuania or Sweden
Belgium or Poland v Kazakhstan or the Republic of Ireland
Turkey or Slovenia v Hungary or Netherlands
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[BBC]
New episodes of Women's Football Weekly podcast drop every Tuesday on BBC Sounds, plus find interviews and extra content from the Women's Super League and beyond on the Women's Football Weekly feed
You must be registered for see images
Continue reading...
