Ireland certain to meet an international superpower in Women's Euro qualifier group stage
Now Ireland have their new head coach in place, they can start plotting their route towards a European Championship debut.
Eileen Gleeson’s feat of guiding the team through their Nations League campaign with a 100% record not only secured her the job on a permanent basis but the team a place within the top tier for the qualifiers.
The Irish will be in League A for the draw on Monday, March 5, certain to be pooled alongside three other nations among the top 16 in Europe.
From being in Pot 4 as one of the League B winners, they will definitely meet one of the superpowers – be that Netherlands, France, Germany or World champions Spain, with European champions England the nation to avoid from Pot 2.
Pot 3 will consist of the winners from February’s playoff ties.
While Gleeson’s predecessor Vera Pauw slated UEFA’s decision to link the new Nations League concept to Euro qualifiers, successful teams are better off when it comes to reaching Switzerland in July 2025 as they will be the higher seeds in the winter playoffs.
By being promoted to League A, the Irish will book a direct ticket to the showpiece should they claim one of the top two spots after their six games against the opponents, home and away, are completed.
Those qualifiers will be blitzed in three double-headers from April to July of next year, with Aviva Stadium likely to stage at least two of Ireland’s home matches.
If results go with seeding, Ireland will remain in contention regardless by entering the playoffs in October and November.
Teams finishing third and fourth in League A will play the five group winners and three best-ranked runners-up in League C. The eight winners progress to the second round.
In the other playoff route, the four group winners and two
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