Carla Ward has praised Ireland’s ability to ‘thrive’ as an ‘underdog’ ahead of two crucial FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers against two of Europe’s best.
Ward’s Ireland squad saw a return for several familiar faces while also inevitably having some notable exclusions.
After announcing her first Ireland squad of 2026, Carla Ward spoke to the media ahead of two huge games against France and Netherlands.
‘We thrive off that’ underdog mentality Carla Ward exclaims
Ireland will welcome France to Tallaght Stadium on Tuesday 3rd March before making the trip to Utrecht to face Netherlands four days later. Ward was asked about the challenge in front on Ireland,
“Look, let’s be really honest. If France and Netherlands is the World Cup final, we’re all thinking it’s a very good final, aren’t we?” Ward explained.
“Because they’re going to be two teams that, in my opinion, are favourites, you’d imagine that they make the World Cup. I think that you’d imagine both of them to be at the latter stages, if not trying to win it.
“So we’re under no illusions. Look, let’s be really honest we’re the underdogs. It’s an Irish mentality that the nation loves. We thrive off that, you know, playing against the very, very best, competing against the very best.
“I think it puts us in a position to see where we are and challenge. And look, I’ve been at clubs and now here where we have to get the one percenters everywhere, because we are coming up against some really strong competition. But look, we’ll relish that, and we’ll look forward to it.”
Littlejohn ‘critical’ in terms of ‘environment & leadership skills’ says Ward
Ward had to make a number of difficult calls in selecting this squad with certain selections sending more tongues wagging than others. Ward was asked about the inclusion of Ruesha Littlejohn who has had limited minutes for her club this season,
“Yeah, look, I think you weigh up every player” Ward explained.
“I think particularly those you know that are experienced players. I think what I’ve said before is, Ruesha [Littlejohn] is critical in terms of the environment and her leadership skills for senior players.
“We’re thankful that actually when we’ve weighed up that midfield. What are the options? Who’s been playing minutes? Who hasn’t? She’s been training consistently since the last camp. Obviously, she’s had a suspension.
“She’s played a couple of in house games. I know very few minutes last night, but look, there’s always conversations because that midfield, there’s a lot of players that aren’t particularly playing minutes.
“But the beauty of it is, we’ve got Lily Agg that’s close to returning to full fitness, and she was on the fringes, being really honest, as well as were a couple of others.
“And yeah, it’d be good moving forward, getting plenty of options in there.”
Ward explained further about Lily Agg who has signed on loan for Durham recently, when asked a follow up question,
“Yeah, look, I’ve been on to Lily and the club for weeks because I’m like, when she back, when she back, because she’s so important” Ward explained.
“I think she’s going to be really important for us this year. And you know, she’s only been back in full team training literally, a couple of weeks, not even that.
“If she had been in [training] a couple more weeks I think there would have been no question whatsoever. But yeah it’s probably too soon for her and for us.
“The sooner we can get Lily back and fit, the better because she is a really important player for what we want to try and do.”
Carla Ward lauds ‘exceptional’ Megan Connolly
Ward did return Megan Connolly to the squad, who has been performing well for Lazio in Italy so far this term,
“She’s been exceptional this season, she really has” Ward beamed.
“She’s in good form, she’s playing well, she’s playing consistently. She’s a leader, you know, she’s part of our leadership group.
“So she’s got a strong voice. So it’s really important that we get her back in. she can play numerous positions.
“I’ve always liked her in the middle of the park, but look, she can play anywhere centrally, whether that’s the back line or the midfield line. So a really important person to have back in.”
Katie McCabe ‘won’t be short on options’ says Ward
Recently the Guardian reported that Ireland captain Katie McCabe is likely to leave Arsenal upon the expiry of her contract at the end of this season. Ward was asked by the 42’s Emma Duffy for her thoughts,
“I speak to the players quite frequently, and certainly about their futures and where they’re at. Yes, I’ve spoken to Katie” Ward said.
“Look, in my opinion, Katie, I’ve said this for a long time, pre coming in, she’s one of the best left backs in the world.
“And I think that she will have a lot of options. I think there’ll be a lot of people wanting to speak to her, who want her signature. I think [that’s] the beauty of it, when you’re one of the very best in the world, you’re not going to be short of options.
“And yeah, it’s wherever she moves, in my opinion, will be a top club getting a very top player.”
Ward also provided an update on Tara O’Hanlon. The Manchester City left back recently joined Celtic on loan and is thought to be the natural successor to McCabe at left back,
“Yeah [she was] very close, you know, very close” Ward explained.
“I think Tara’s, you know, in a bracket of now, with this new system, it’s slightly different. So she’s in a bracket with, Katie [McCabe] Quinny [Louise Quinn].
“Tara’s coming back from a niggle and knock, and she’s gone to Celtic to get regular minutes, which will help her. But again, [she is] somebody else that’s on the fringes.”
