Carla Ward’s Republic of Ireland side will play Kazakhstan in the first leg of their Women’s World Cup qualifying first-round playoff on Friday, facing a 12pm kick-off local time at the Astana Arena in the capital city of Astana, with the return fixture scheduled for Páirc Uí Chaoimh next Tuesday at 7.30pm.
Broadcasters air both legs live on television
The opening leg in Kazakhstan starts at the unusual time of 12pm on Friday at the Astana Arena. Both legs of the qualification playoff will be broadcast live on RTÉ2 for viewers following the campaign at home.
Supporters planning to attend the second leg in person can still purchase tickets for the game at Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Seats are currently selling for €30 ahead of Tuesday’s 7.30pm match.
Squad Selections and Injury Absences
Ireland travels to Central Asia missing several key players for the first leg. Katie McCabe and midfielder Marissa Sheva are both suspended for Friday’s fixture, while Denise O’Sullivan is nursing a knee injury picked up with her club, Gotham FC. All three players are expected to be available for the second leg in Cork.
Meanwhile, Tara O’Hanlon has been ruled out of both fixtures due to a hamstring injury, and Saoirse Noonan misses out with an ankle issue. Crystal Palace midfielder Shanade Hopcroft earns a surprise inclusion in the squad, qualifying through her Sligo grandmother, and Heather Payne returns to the national team setup for the first time in a year following an injury-hampered spell.
Republic of Ireland Squad
Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (Southampton), Sophie Whitehouse (Charlton Athletic).
Defenders: Newcastle United’s Aoife Mannion, Heather Payne (Leicester City), Anna Patten (Aston Villa), Caitlin Hayes (Brighton), Jessie Stapleton (Leicester City), Megan Connolly (Lazio), Hayley Nolan (Crystal Palace), Chloe Mustaki (Nottingham Forest), and Katie McCabe (Chelsea).
Midfielders: Denise O’Sullivan (Gotham FC), Sunderland’s Marissa Sheva, Aoibheann Clancy (Watford), Jamie Finn (Burnley), Lucy Quinn (Sheffield United), Tyler Toland (Burnley), Jess Ziu (Leicester City), and Shanade Hopcroft (Crystal Palace).
Forwards: Kyra Carusa (HB Køge), Amber Barrett (Strasbourg), Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace), Emily Murphy (Brighton), and Leanne Kiernan (Newcastle United).
Playoff winners advance toward World Cup qualification
The winner of these first-round playoffs over the two legs advances to the second and final round. A stiffer challenge awaits the victors there against either Belgium or Poland.
Out of the eight second-round playoff winners, seven will secure direct qualification for the World Cup. The eighth team, determined by league phase rankings, will retain another shot at qualification through the inter-confederation playoffs.
Ranking Comparisons and Historical Form
Ireland enters the tie ranked 21st in the world and competes in Nations League A. Kazakhstan sits 98th in the global rankings and plays in the third-tier League C.
Recent competitive fixtures show precedent for Irish success against potential subsequent opponents. Ireland beat Poland home and away earlier this year. In last year’s Nations League, the team defeated Belgium 4-2 in the first leg of a promotion-relegation playoff in Dublin before a 2-1 defeat in the return leg four days later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the first leg against Kazakhstan taking place?
The first leg takes place at the Astana Arena in the Kazakh capital of Astana, kicking off at 12pm on Friday.
Which players are missing for the first leg in Astana?
Katie McCabe and Marissa Sheva are suspended, while Denise O’Sullivan is sidelined with a knee injury. All three players are expected to return for the second leg in Cork.
How much do tickets cost for the second leg in Cork?
Tickets for the second leg at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Tuesday are selling for €30.
Who awaits the winner in the next round?
The winner of the first-round playoff advances to face either Belgium or Poland in the second and final round.
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