Republic of Ireland Women’s Head Coach Carla Ward has Lily Agg and Jess Ziu back in her squad for the World Cup Qualifiers against Poland, while there is a first call-up for Bohemians’ Aoibhe Brennan.
Ireland will first travel to Gdansk to face Poland at the Gdansk Stadium on Tuesday, April 14 (KO 5pm). The two nations will then meet again in a crucial return fixture at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday 18 April (KO 3pm).
Teenager Aoibhe Brennan receives her first senior call-up, the midfielder having enjoyed an impressive start to the season.
There are also welcome returns for two key players who have recovered from long-term injuries. Lily Agg is included in the squad for the first time since 2024 after successfully recovering from a serious knee injury, while West Ham United’s Jess Ziu is recalled for the first time since the play-offs against Georgia in October 2025.
The two matches against Poland are seen as key to the campaign, with securing a minimum of third spot in the group being a primary objective. A third-place finish would guarantee a more favourable route in the play-offs as the team continues its quest to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2027.
Tickets for the home match against Poland at the Aviva Stadium are on sale now here.
Republic of Ireland Squad
Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Sophie Whitehouse (Charlton Athletic), Grace Moloney (Sunderland).
Defenders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Anna Patten (Aston Villa), Caitlin Hayes (Brighton & Hove Albion), Aoife Mannion (Newcastle United), Jessie Stapleton (Nottingham Forest – loan), Chloe Mustaki (Nottingham Forest).
Midfielders: Denise O’Sullivan (Liverpool), Tyler Toland (Durham), Megan Connolly (Lazio), Marissa Sheva (Sunderland), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Ruesha Littlejohn (Crystal Palace), Jess Ziu (West Ham United), Lily Agg (Durham), Aoibhe Brennan (Bohemians).
Forwards: Saoirse Noonan (Celtic), Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace), Leanne Kiernan (Nottingham Forest – loan), Emily Murphy (Newcastle United), Kyra Carusa (Kansas City Current – loan), Amber Barrett (Strasbourg).
Source – fai.ie
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