![\"Katie](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEI293155446.jpg\")
Katie McCabe of Republic of Ireland misses a penalty during the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifier match between Poland and Republic of Ireland. Pic: Jakub Piasecki\/Sportsfile<\/p>\nAll eyes are on the men’s World Cup, but Ireland’s women’s team is about to have its time to shine, with the chance to qualify for the 2027 tournament in Brazil.<\/p>\n
Carla Ward’s side qualified for the UEFA World Cup play-offs after beating the Netherlands back in May, and have now been drawn against Kazakhstan in the play-off semi-final, before a potential play-off final against Belgium or Poland.<\/p>\n
It will be a huge task, with the travel to Kazakhstan and facing two sides in Belgium and Poland who Ireland have narrowly beaten over the past 12 months, but there’s little reason not to think that Ireland could make their second Women’s World Cup in a row.<\/p>\n
Katie McCabe of Republic of Ireland misses a penalty during the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifier match between Poland and Republic of Ireland. Pic: Jakub Piasecki\/Sportsfile<\/p>\n
And with that, the FAI are looking to make the most out of the second-leg home advantage they’ll have in both play-off ties. Irish Examiner sportswriter Eoghan Cormican posted on X on Wednesday that Ireland are set to play their home tie against Kazakhstan at P\u00e1irc U\u00ed Chaoimh.<\/p>\n
‘Subject to approval by GAA Central Council,’ Cormican posted. ‘Ireland’s home leg for the World Cup play-off against Kazakhstan on Tues, Oct 13, will be played at P\u00e1irc U\u00ed Chaoimh. PUC will host the World Cup play-off, Munster’s Champions Cup opener, & the Cork hurling final all in the space of 5 days.’<\/p>\n
![\"Pic:](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/3477267.webp\")
Pic: Stephen McCarthy\/Sportsfile<\/p>\n
Set to be a busy few days for the venue in October, but it’s a venue that has brought Ireland a lot of fortune in the past, beating France 3-1 back in 2024 and then most recently beating the Netherlands in June.<\/p>\n
‘You don\u2019t have to ask me twice about Cork,\u2019 Ireland manager Carla Ward said when asked about potentially playing in Cork last month. \u2018I absolutely love it down there, and I think the players do too. It\u2019s not been confirmed where we\u2019ll play.<\/p>\n
\u2018Of course, we would love to have one in Dublin and one in Cork. I think that would be the ultimate dream, but we\u2019ll have to wait and see and let the powers that be look after that side of it.’<\/p>\n
![\"Republic](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/3482440.jpg\")
Republic of Ireland head coach Carla Ward acknowledges her side’s supporters after the 2027 FIFA Women\u2019s World Cup Qualifier match between France and Republic of Ireland at Stade des Alpes in Grenoble, France. Pic: Stephen McCarthy\/Sportsfile<\/p>\n
\u2018The beauty of it is, I think form will probably go out the window, previous games will go out the window. I think that\u2019ll be a one-off, big play-off final. I think it\u2019ll be a very different game, to maybe what we witnessed in both games at the Aviva. You know me, I\u2019ll always try and get the one-percenters. We\u2019ll certainly use some of that. But yeah, it will be a tough feat, a tough ask, no matter where we play.\u2019<\/p>\n
Subject to approval by GAA Central Council, Ireland’s home leg for the World Cup play-off against Kazakhstan on Tues, Oct 13, will be played at P\u00e1irc U\u00ed Chaoimh.
PUC will host the World Cup play-off, Munster’s Champions Cup opener, & the Cork hurling final all in space of 5 days.<\/p>\n