Ireland women's national team manager Carla Ward is anticipating a strong reaction from Poland when the sides meet in a crucial FIFA Women's World Cup qualifier at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday, April 19, 2026. Ward acknowledged the quality of the Polish side but expressed confidence in her own team's ability to secure a positive result on home soil.
The match is a key fixture in UEFA qualifying Group A3. Ireland enters the contest following a mixed start to their campaign, seeking vital points to boost their hopes of reaching the 2027 World Cup. Poland, managed by former Barcelona coach Lluís Cortés, will also be aiming to strengthen their position in the group table.
"We know Poland are a very good side and they'll be coming here wanting to put on a performance," Ward stated in a pre-match press conference. "But if we're on it, we're going to take three points. We've prepared well, and the focus is on delivering our game plan." The manager highlighted the importance of the home support at the sold-out Aviva Stadium in driving the team forward.
A victory for Ireland would provide a significant boost in the competitive qualification group. The team's preparations have been focused on tactical discipline and capitalizing on scoring opportunities against a defensively organized Polish team.
