Ireland are back in World Cup qualification action when they head to Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork on Friday to face the Netherlands
10:39, 02 Jun 2026Updated 10:59, 02 Jun 2026
Tennis balls featuring the Palestinian flag were thrown onto the pitch during Ireland v Qatar(Image: INPHO/Ryan Byrne)
Carla Ward insists the prospect of fresh ‘Stop The Game’ protests at this Friday’s World Cup qualifier against the Netherlands is not distracting her from the task at hand.
Ireland’s men’s friendly against Qatar last week was interrupted three times in the first-half when fans threw tennis balls onto the pitch.
Calls to boycott the upcoming Nations League games against Israel are intensifying – and there is talk of more protests at Friday’s clash with the Netherlands.
The FAI are set to host a board meeting this week to discuss possibly moving the home game to a neutral country.
As for the prospect of protests on Friday, Ward said: “Look, it’s not a good situation is it for anybody? And I think it’s a difficult situation for everybody involved.
“I don’t know, is the answer, if we are expecting that, but our focus will be solely on the Netherlands and trying to win that game.”
Ward’s Dutch focus means she isn’t even thinking about the French – Ireland’s opponents next Tuesday in Grenoble.
“Absolutely not. One game at a time. Don’t even talk about France,” she said.
“The only thing we’re looking at, the only thing we’re thinking about, the only thing we’re prepping for is the Netherlands. Once we’ve got the Netherlands out of the way, we’ll see what position we’re in.”
Ireland Head Coach Carla Ward(Image: INPHO/Ryan Byrne)
The maths are simple – two wins and Ireland secure automatic World Cup qualification.
Any other set of results and a third placed finish, with its easier play-off route, is all but guaranteed. Unless, that is, Poland win their final two games against France and the Netherlands.
Only with that outcome would two defeats condemn the Girls in Green to relegation back to League B and a tougher play-off path.
Ireland will be without Denise O’Sullivan and Emily Murphy for the Netherlands game, as they serve a ban for two yellow cards.
Walking the suspension tightrope against the Dutch on Friday are Katie McCabe and Marisa Sheva, who have a booking each.
Otherwise, Ward confirmed: “Everybody, as it stands, has come in healthy and fit, ready to go. We’ve had two sessions now, one yesterday, one today. Everybody as it stands, a full bill of health.”
The Netherlands are missing Vivianne Miedema, and Ward said: “On one hand, Miedema is, in my opinion, one of the best players in world football. I love watching her, I really do.
“I loved managing against her. I think she’s a top, top player. But look, she was missing in the last window due to really sad circumstances. But they performed against France and did the job.
“So I think they’ve obviously got other world-class players that can do the same thing. I think they’ve got an abundance of quality.
“It doesn’t matter which XI they put out, or what changes they make, they are a top, top side.”