CARLA WARD SAYS her Ireland side “genuinely believe we can go toe-to-toe with the best and get results” in the wake of Tuesday’s 2027 Uefa Women’s Nations League draw.
“Who doesn’t want to play against the world champions?” said Ward.
“From the moment I took this job, I’ve said time and time again that we want to test ourselves against the very best, and this is our opportunity. Spain are the best team in the world right now; their quality is exceptional and nobody really comes close to them.
“We know the challenge ahead. It’s going to be a game where we have to be extraordinarily disciplined, stay compact, and frustrate them. We’ve shown against sides like France and the Netherlands that we have that resilience in our DNA, and that has to be the exact mindset we bring to the pitch.”
Ireland lost narrowly to France (1-0 twice) and the Netherlands (1-0), before stunning the Dutch 3-2 in World Cup qualifying earlier this year. December’s play-off final against Poland for a ticket to Brazil 2027 remains the immediate focus, but Tuesday’s Nations League draw provides another challenge.
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Spain are ranked number one in the Fifa women’s world rankings, and won the 2024 and 2025 editions of the Nations League. Sonia Bermúdez’s squad is star-studded, with three-time Ballon d’Or winners Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmatí among their leading lights.
Norway (ranked 13th) and Switzerland (26th) will also provide stern tests in a campaign that kicks off next February. (The windows are February/March, April and June, with full fixture details to be confirmed later this month.)
Spain celebrate their 2023 World Cup win. Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
“There are no easy games at this level in League A,” Ward, whose current contract expires at the end of the 2027 World Cup qualifying campaign, continued.
“Norway have real prestige as former world champions, and on paper they possess one of the strongest squads in world football. They’re also managed by a good friend of mine in Gemma Grainger, so I’m really looking forward to going up against her.
“Switzerland are another really difficult prospect, just off the back of a solid campaign and very capable, developing side who have picked up strong results recently. We respect every opponent, but we also back ourselves. We genuinely believe we can go toe-to-toe with the best and get results.
“Every single match day matters now, and that’s what we thrive on. You learn so much more when you compete against elite opposition. To be in these conversations, in this league, and drawn against these teams is a clear reflection of the strides and progress this squad continues to make.”
Another Ballon d’Or winner Ada Hegerberg captains Norway, while former Arsenal and current Brighton star Lia Wälti skippers Switzerland. Ireland last played the Swiss at the 2014 Cyprus Cup, where they won 2-1. They previously lost 2-1 and 1-0 in 2010 and 2011.
Norway and Spain won their most recent meetings: Ireland suffered 2-0 and 1-0 defeats to Norway in 2019 World Cup qualifying, while Spain did the double in Euro 2017 qualifying, winning 3-0 in both November 2015 and April 2016.
Uefa Nations League draw – League A
Group A1: Spain, Norway, Republic of Ireland, Switzerland
Group A2: France, England, Austria, Portugal
Group A3: Denmark, Italy, Iceland, Wales
Group A4: Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, Scotland
Group winners qualify for 2028 Olympics and progress to Nations League semi-finals; bottom side relegated; third place contest promotion/relegation play-off
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Carla Ward: 'We genuinely believe we can go toe-to-toe with the best and get results'
CARLA WARD SAYS her Ireland side “genuinely believe we can go toe-to-toe with the best and get results” in the wake of Tuesday’s 2027 Uefa Women’s Nations League draw.
Ireland will face world champions Spain, Norway and Switzerland in League A of next year’s competition. It’s a difficult, but exciting, Group A2.
“Who doesn’t want to play against the world champions?” said Ward.
“From the moment I took this job, I’ve said time and time again that we want to test ourselves against the very best, and this is our opportunity. Spain are the best team in the world right now; their quality is exceptional and nobody really comes close to them.
“We know the challenge ahead. It’s going to be a game where we have to be extraordinarily disciplined, stay compact, and frustrate them. We’ve shown against sides like France and the Netherlands that we have that resilience in our DNA, and that has to be the exact mindset we bring to the pitch.”
Ireland lost narrowly to France (1-0 twice) and the Netherlands (1-0), before stunning the Dutch 3-2 in World Cup qualifying earlier this year. December’s play-off final against Poland for a ticket to Brazil 2027 remains the immediate focus, but Tuesday’s Nations League draw provides another challenge.
Spain are ranked number one in the Fifa women’s world rankings, and won the 2024 and 2025 editions of the Nations League. Sonia Bermúdez’s squad is star-studded, with three-time Ballon d’Or winners Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmatí among their leading lights.
Norway (ranked 13th) and Switzerland (26th) will also provide stern tests in a campaign that kicks off next February. (The windows are February/March, April and June, with full fixture details to be confirmed later this month.)
“There are no easy games at this level in League A,” Ward, whose current contract expires at the end of the 2027 World Cup qualifying campaign, continued.
“Norway have real prestige as former world champions, and on paper they possess one of the strongest squads in world football. They’re also managed by a good friend of mine in Gemma Grainger, so I’m really looking forward to going up against her.
“Switzerland are another really difficult prospect, just off the back of a solid campaign and very capable, developing side who have picked up strong results recently. We respect every opponent, but we also back ourselves. We genuinely believe we can go toe-to-toe with the best and get results.
Another Ballon d’Or winner Ada Hegerberg captains Norway, while former Arsenal and current Brighton star Lia Wälti skippers Switzerland. Ireland last played the Swiss at the 2014 Cyprus Cup, where they won 2-1. They previously lost 2-1 and 1-0 in 2010 and 2011.
Norway and Spain won their most recent meetings: Ireland suffered 2-0 and 1-0 defeats to Norway in 2019 World Cup qualifying, while Spain did the double in Euro 2017 qualifying, winning 3-0 in both November 2015 and April 2016.
Uefa Nations League draw – League A
Group A1: Spain, Norway, Republic of Ireland, Switzerland
Group A2: France, England, Austria, Portugal
Group A3: Denmark, Italy, Iceland, Wales
Group A4: Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, Scotland
Group winners qualify for 2028 Olympics and progress to Nations League semi-finals; bottom side relegated; third place contest promotion/relegation play-off
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