SATURDAY’S FAI AGM went relatively under the radar, but one positive dispatch from Cork was around Ireland women’s national team boss Carla Ward.
Chief executive David Courell confirmed the FAI are in talks with Ward about a contract extension ahead of next month’s World Cup play-off final against Poland.
“We’re really delighted with how Carla has performed. That’s evident by reaching our highest-ever ranking in the world of 21st. The team is in a really good space. They’re stable, very focused on what they need to achieve and headed in the right direction.
“That’s something that the association recognises and something the association wants to continue. In terms of where conversations are or where they may go, I’m not in a position to divulge that.”
The 42 has since learned that a new deal is close, as negotiations – led by FAI director of football John Martin – continue.
Ward’s current contract runs until the end of the 2027 World Cup campaign. Extending it seems a no-brainer, whether Ireland qualify for next summer’s finals in Brazil or not. The progress made under her watch has been marked, while the precedent has been set.
Reaching an agreement before the Poland double-header – on 1 and 5 December – would be optimal, to avoid distraction and provide clarity for all involved.
Heimir Hallgrímsson was at this same juncture – two games from a World Cup – when he signed a new contract in March before Ireland’s play-off semi-final against Czechia. The men’s manager cited “big pressure from the association for me to sign before these play-off matches,” and that urgency to secure services for the long term should be matched.
After Hallgrímsson’s future was sorted, Ward was soon asked about her own.
“I love being here, I love my job,” the former Aston Villa and Birmingham City boss said.
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“I think it’s very clear that we’ve come a long way since I’ve been in the post. Do I want to continue that work? Yes, of course. I want to be here and I want to get to a World Cup, that’s my number one goal.”
That messaging has been consistent in the months since, with questioning heightened in the last international window. Ward was coy when asked about contract talks, and insisted her focus remained solely on upcoming fixtures.
Repeated probing was expected as World Cup qualifying hit the business end, but a vacancy at former club Villa added to it. Ward has been linked with other club jobs, and revealed she turned down a WSL offer last year. She was in the mix for at least one other international role before her Ireland appointment in January 2025, and her stock has significantly risen since. Ward will undoubtedly be in high demand should the FAI fail to tie her down.
Ward speaks to her Ireland team. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
Her body of work, particularly in the last 12 months, is impressive. Ownership was taken for a shocking 4-0 defeat to Slovenia early in her reign, and a balance in systems and style was struck through a rebuild.
The major breakthrough was last October’s Nations League promotion/relegation play-off scalp against Belgium, as Ireland were elevated to League A for the World Cup qualifiers. After opening with a mixed bag of narrow 2–1 defeats to heavyweights France and Netherlands, they completed the decisive double against Poland (3-2 and 1-0) to all but guarantee third place in the group, securing seeding for the play-offs and staving off relegation.
The standout result of Ward’s reign followed, a stunning 3-2 win over the Netherlands at Páirc Uí Chaoimh – which remarkably kept them in contention to top the group and qualify automatically. But another slender loss in France (1-0) meant Ireland had to settle for third, and ninth overall across the European qualifiers.
That alone – and their highest-ever world ranking of 21st – reflects their increased standing and significant improvement.
There have been tactical shortcomings and some questionable decisions – a reluctance to use her bench at times, and not going for the jugular sooner against France away – but in truth, Ward probably hasn’t fully got the credit she deserves for the job she has done with the Girls in Green. She has them playing good football, scoring goals and going toe-to-toe with the best teams in the world. She has instilled belief, with many of the squad reinvigorated on the international stage. That belief goes both ways, with players speaking highly of her in media engagements.
Ireland have won five of their last six games – swatting minnows Kazakhstan aside 12-0 on aggregate most recently – as the Poland showdowns loom. Ward’s side will be slight favourites in their bid to reach back-to-back World Cup finals, but regardless of the outcome, her contract should be renewed until Euro 2029.
The first steps on that journey became clear last week when Ireland were grouped with world champions Spain, Norway and Switzerland for the 2027 Nations League qualifiers.
Ward was immediately looking to the challenge ahead; she must now be given the backing to keep building.
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Carla Ward Ireland contract extension moves closer
SATURDAY’S FAI AGM went relatively under the radar, but one positive dispatch from Cork was around Ireland women’s national team boss Carla Ward.
Chief executive David Courell confirmed the FAI are in talks with Ward about a contract extension ahead of next month’s World Cup play-off final against Poland.
“We’re in live conversations with Carla and will continue to be,” said Courell, as quoted by The Irish Examiner.
“We’re really delighted with how Carla has performed. That’s evident by reaching our highest-ever ranking in the world of 21st. The team is in a really good space. They’re stable, very focused on what they need to achieve and headed in the right direction.
“That’s something that the association recognises and something the association wants to continue. In terms of where conversations are or where they may go, I’m not in a position to divulge that.”
The 42 has since learned that a new deal is close, as negotiations – led by FAI director of football John Martin – continue.
Ward’s current contract runs until the end of the 2027 World Cup campaign. Extending it seems a no-brainer, whether Ireland qualify for next summer’s finals in Brazil or not. The progress made under her watch has been marked, while the precedent has been set.
Reaching an agreement before the Poland double-header – on 1 and 5 December – would be optimal, to avoid distraction and provide clarity for all involved.
Heimir Hallgrímsson was at this same juncture – two games from a World Cup – when he signed a new contract in March before Ireland’s play-off semi-final against Czechia. The men’s manager cited “big pressure from the association for me to sign before these play-off matches,” and that urgency to secure services for the long term should be matched.
After Hallgrímsson’s future was sorted, Ward was soon asked about her own.
“I love being here, I love my job,” the former Aston Villa and Birmingham City boss said.
“I think it’s very clear that we’ve come a long way since I’ve been in the post. Do I want to continue that work? Yes, of course. I want to be here and I want to get to a World Cup, that’s my number one goal.”
That messaging has been consistent in the months since, with questioning heightened in the last international window. Ward was coy when asked about contract talks, and insisted her focus remained solely on upcoming fixtures.
Repeated probing was expected as World Cup qualifying hit the business end, but a vacancy at former club Villa added to it. Ward has been linked with other club jobs, and revealed she turned down a WSL offer last year. She was in the mix for at least one other international role before her Ireland appointment in January 2025, and her stock has significantly risen since. Ward will undoubtedly be in high demand should the FAI fail to tie her down.
Her body of work, particularly in the last 12 months, is impressive. Ownership was taken for a shocking 4-0 defeat to Slovenia early in her reign, and a balance in systems and style was struck through a rebuild.
The major breakthrough was last October’s Nations League promotion/relegation play-off scalp against Belgium, as Ireland were elevated to League A for the World Cup qualifiers. After opening with a mixed bag of narrow 2–1 defeats to heavyweights France and Netherlands, they completed the decisive double against Poland (3-2 and 1-0) to all but guarantee third place in the group, securing seeding for the play-offs and staving off relegation.
The standout result of Ward’s reign followed, a stunning 3-2 win over the Netherlands at Páirc Uí Chaoimh – which remarkably kept them in contention to top the group and qualify automatically. But another slender loss in France (1-0) meant Ireland had to settle for third, and ninth overall across the European qualifiers.
That alone – and their highest-ever world ranking of 21st – reflects their increased standing and significant improvement.
There have been tactical shortcomings and some questionable decisions – a reluctance to use her bench at times, and not going for the jugular sooner against France away – but in truth, Ward probably hasn’t fully got the credit she deserves for the job she has done with the Girls in Green. She has them playing good football, scoring goals and going toe-to-toe with the best teams in the world. She has instilled belief, with many of the squad reinvigorated on the international stage. That belief goes both ways, with players speaking highly of her in media engagements.
Ireland have won five of their last six games – swatting minnows Kazakhstan aside 12-0 on aggregate most recently – as the Poland showdowns loom. Ward’s side will be slight favourites in their bid to reach back-to-back World Cup finals, but regardless of the outcome, her contract should be renewed until Euro 2029.
The first steps on that journey became clear last week when Ireland were grouped with world champions Spain, Norway and Switzerland for the 2027 Nations League qualifiers.
Ward was immediately looking to the challenge ahead; she must now be given the backing to keep building.
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