McCabe targets Poland play-off as Ireland close in on World Cup
Republic of Ireland captain Katie McCabe says the squad must stay focused for a two-legged World Cup play-off against Poland after a comfortable win over Kazakhstan.
Republic of Ireland captain Katie McCabe has set her sights on the final Women's World Cup play-off against Poland after her side completed a comfortable aggregate win over Kazakhstan in Cork. Ireland carried an eight-goal lead into the second leg and added four more on the night, with McCabe marking her return to the starting line-up with a powerful strike after serving a one-game suspension in Astana.
The result leaves Carla Ward's team two matches away from the 2027 Women's World Cup and a second successive major tournament appearance. McCabe said the players will need to "lock in" during the six-week build-up, describing the prospect of reaching Brazil as exciting and stressing that a World Cup place is at stake.
Poland advanced by beating Belgium on penalties following a 3-3 draw across the two legs. McCabe acknowledged Poland are a dangerous side, pointing to Barcelona striker Ewa Pajor, but noted that Ireland won both of their qualifying meetings with the Poles in April and expects a different challenge in November.
Ireland's progress under Ward has been marked since a 4-0 home defeat by Slovenia in her second game in charge in February 2025. The team responded by beating Belgium in a promotion/relegation play-off to reach Nations League League A, then defeating the Netherlands and drawing with France to remain in the top tier. McCabe credited the squad with learning from that Slovenia loss and building momentum against top-10 opponents.
McCabe also said her summer move to Chelsea following the end of her Arsenal contract has been a breath of fresh air, adding that she is enjoying her football again under manager Sonia Bompastor. She said her priority is being in the best possible position to help Ireland qualify, recalling the highs and lows of a campaign that ended with the country's first World Cup appearance in Australia in 2023.
Image: Getty Images / BBC Sport
