Ireland advance to final Women's World Cup play-off after Cork win

On 13 October 2026 in Cork, Katie McCabe scored as the Republic of Ireland booked their place in the final play-off round of the Women's World Cup after the second leg against Kazakhstan.

Ireland went into the match with an eight-goal advantage from the first leg and added four more on the night, including a powerful strike from McCabe, to move to within two matches of qualification for the 2027 Women's World Cup. Carla Ward selected McCabe in the starting lineup after the captain served a one-game suspension in Astana; Ward had aimed to build momentum following the emphatic first-leg victory.

McCabe, 31, set the tone for the squad's focus in comments to RTE Sport: "Two games and we're going to Brazil, but full focus over the next six weeks," she said. "We need to lock in and be ready."

Reflection on recent form featured in the post-match coverage: after a shock 4-0 home defeat by Slovenia in Ward's second game in charge in February 2025, the Republic of Ireland have since improved, beating Belgium in a promotion/relegation play-off to reach League A of the Nations League and recording results that kept them in the top tier, including victories over the Netherlands and twice over play-off opponents Poland.

McCabe added: "We've put ourselves in a really good position. The opponents we've faced, top-10 opponents, the girls have done brilliantly. "Once Carla came in it's a transition period and it takes a bit of time to find our feet. "We learnt our lesson with that heavy defeat by Slovenia two years ago and we've built and grown. We've tried to gather as much momentum as possible."

Poland stand between Ireland and a place at the tournament, having reached this stage after defeating Belgium on penalties following a 3-3 aggregate draw; their attack is bolstered by Barcelona striker Ewa Pajor, although Poland lost both qualifying matches against Ireland in April. McCabe said: "For us, we've played both teams recently and it's going to be different come November. "We know there's a World Cup place at stake so we need to be ready. It's an exciting one."

McCabe also discussed her summer move to Chelsea, after her contract at Arsenal ended, calling the transfer a "breath of fresh air" and praising work with Sonia [Bompastor, Chelsea manager]. "The time had come for me to start a new chapter. Ever since I've come in to work with Sonia and the girls it has been brilliant. "I'm enjoying my football again and I'm just taking it game-by-game, but for me the most important thing is being in the best position to qualify for the World Cup."

Recalling Ireland's first World Cup appearance, McCabe said the squad know what it takes after reaching the tournament in Australia in 2023 and stressed unity ahead of the play-off final: "We've had some highs and lows over the years. It's going to be really important and we'll stick together going into November. "We'll be doing everything we can to get over the line and get this country to the World Cup again."

Ireland will face Poland in the final play-off in November with a place at the 2027 Women's World Cup at stake, leaving Ward's side two matches away from qualification.