Republic of Ireland Face France in Crucial World Cup Qualifier

Match Details and How to Watch

The Republic of Ireland kick off their FIFA Women’s World Cup Group A2 qualifying campaign with a challenging home match against France on Tuesday, March 3rd, at Tallaght Stadium. The match is scheduled to begin at 7:30 PM.

• TV: Live coverage will begin at 7:00 PM on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player.
• Radio: Listen to live commentary on an extended Inside Sport on RTÉ Radio 1.
• Online: A live blog will be available on the RTÉ News App and at rte.ie/sport.

Favorable Weather Conditions Expected

Players and fans can expect a dry and sunny day for the match. Temperatures will rise to between 9 and 12 degrees Celsius after a cold, frosty start, with light to moderate variable breezes. Importantly, no rain is forecast.

Ireland Aiming for a Statement Win

Carla Ward’s side are looking to make a strong start in a demanding group that also includes the Netherlands and Poland. A positive result against France is considered crucial for Ireland’s hopes of securing the automatic qualifying spot.

“Given the condensed nature of the group and the quality of opponents, a result in their opening home game is a must for Ireland if they’re to have any hope of causing a major shock and capture the one automatic qualifying place on offer.”

Ireland enters the campaign with a safety net, having secured a play-off place through their Nations League victory over Belgium in October. They also have recent positive history against France, having won 3-1 in their last encounter in July 2024.

Ward Prioritizes Home Advantage with Pitch Adjustment

Ireland manager Carla Ward has opted to play the match on the smallest allowable pitch dimensions (100 metres long x 64 metres wide) in an effort to condense the game and limit space for the French attack.

“We’re coming up against the best in the world, one per cents matter,”

Carla Ward

“Fine teams want space, right? When you play on somewhere like the Aviva, it definitely gives the advantage to the better, on paper, the better opposition. We’ve got to make it difficult.”

Carla Ward

Ward acknowledged the strength of the opposition, stating, They’re one of the best in the world. The Irish squad is bolstered by the return of goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan, midfielder Megan Connolly and attacker Leanne Kiernan from injury.

France Focused on Group Dominance

France, the top seeds in Group A2, are aiming to establish early control. Head coach Laurent Bonadei wants to secure six points from their opening two matches – against Ireland and Poland – before facing the Netherlands in April.

“It’s a tough group, as is the case with every Nations League draw…All the groups are necessarily balanced.”

Laurent Bonadei

“The key is to establish ourselves quickly in this four-team league, as we did so well in the three previous editions, where we immediately took the lead and then won our matches to finish top of the group.”

Laurent Bonadei

Despite injuries to key players like Selma Bacha, Delphine Cascarino, and Griedge Mbock, Bonadei has called up Anais Ebayilin and Alice Pinguet for their first international appearances.

FAQ

When and where is the match?

The match is on Tuesday, March 3rd, at 7:30 PM at Tallaght Stadium.

How can I watch the game?

You can watch it live on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player.

What is the weather forecast?

The forecast is for a dry, sunny day with temperatures between 9 and 12 degrees Celsius.

This match represents a significant challenge for the Republic of Ireland, but a positive result could set the tone for their entire World Cup qualifying campaign. With a strong squad and home advantage, Ireland will be looking to make a statement against one of the best teams in the world.