Women’s World Cup Qualifier Preview: Netherlands -v- Republic of Ireland

• Macdara Ferris
• Fri, Mar 06 2026

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

The last time Ireland played in the low countries, they lost 2-1 in Leuven but that result in November in the UEFA Nations League play-off second leg against Belgium was enough to secure promotion to League A.

Utrecht is the venue on Saturday evening where the Girls in Green will take on the Netherlands in their second World Cup qualifier for the tournament set for Brazil in 2027 (kick-off 19:45 Irish time).

When Ireland played the Dutch an hour down the road in Nijmegen in 2017 they took away a point and a similar result on Saturday would prove very welcome. The Girls in Green began their quest to make it to back-to-back World Cups last Tuesday night in Tallaght against France with a 2-1 defeat but with plenty of positives to take from their performance. 

Poland held the Dutch to a 2-2 draw in Gdansk on the same evening and the next women’s international window will likely be the pivotal one for Ireland’s finishing position in Group 2 of League A as Ireland will play Poland home and away in April. 

On the eve of this game, it was confirmed that Denise O’Sullivan will miss the match after aggravating her knee against France. “It’s difficult to replace Denise in any team,” said Carla Ward at the pre-match press conference in Utrecht as reported by the42.ie. 

“I would put Denise in any team anywhere around the world. That’s how highly I think of her. But we have a tight-knit squad, a prepared squad, a squad that everybody understands their roles, they look after each other, and whoever goes in there will know exactly what’s expected.”

There will be a large creative hole made in Ireland’s midfield with the Cork woman’s absence but Ward may decide to place a more defensive player in the centre of the action. Ruesha Littlejohn may make a return or Ward has deployed Anna Patten in midfield before - at both club and country level - and she could step into the middle on Saturday. 

While O’Sullivan is out, Ireland skipper Katie McCabe is available. She got a knock when picking up a first half booking in Tallaght on Tuesday and while she has recovered to be declared fit, she will want to avoid another booking as that would see her miss the first of next month’s double header against Poland. 

They will be two crucial qualifiers as the Girls in Green look to finish above the Poles to secure a League C opponent in the World Cup play-off (the bottom side in the group will play a League B side in the play-off).

See our explainer here for qualification details.

Ireland squad

Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton FC), Sophie Whitehouse (Charlton Athletic), Grace Moloney (Sunderland).

Defenders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal FC), Anna Patten (Aston Villa FC), Caitlin Hayes (Brighton & Hove Albion), Aoife Mannion (Newcastle United), Tara O’Hanlon (Celtic - loan) Jessie Stapleton (Nottingham Forest - loan), Chloe Mustaki (Nottingham Forest).

Midfielders: Tyler Toland (Durham), Megan Connolly (Lazio), Marissa Sheva (Sunderland), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Ruesha Littlejohn (Crystal Palace), Jamie Finn (Sunderland).

Attackers: Saoirse Noonan (Celtic FC), Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace), Leanne Kiernan (Nottingham Forest - loan), Emily Murphy (Newcastle United), Kyra Carusa (Kansas City Current - loan), Amber Barrett (Strasbourg).

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— extratime.com (@extratime.com) March 3, 2026 at 10:53 PM

NETHERLANDS

While Ireland have some regrets with not picking up at least a point at home to France on Tuesday, there is no getting away from the Dutch disappointment with their result this week when they certainly feel they dropped two points after their 2-2 draw in Poland.

The Netherlands led 2-1 late in the game after goals from Veerle Buurman and Jill Roord but six minutes from time Paulina Tomasiak equalised beating Lize Kop who started in goal for the injured Daniëlle van de Donk.

The Dutch skipper Dominique Janssen spoke to broadcaster NOS after the game saying: “We weren't good enough with the ball in the first half. We know that very well. The second half was a bit better, but ultimately it just wasn't good.

"In a few instances, we played into their hands. That's when they really shine. Pajor runs on everything. The first goal was unfortunate but she also scored a fantastic goal. The second goal also came from a transition. 

"We have to give it our all. Saturday is a new match. We're going to do everything we can to keep the points at home."

Netherlands head coach Arjan Veurink has a full squad to choose from.

Dutch squad

Goalkeepers: Daniëlle de Jong (Juventus), Lize Kop (Tottenham Hotspur), Daphne van Domselaar (Arsenal)

Defenders: Veerle Buurman (Chelsea), Lieske Carleer (FC Twente), Kerstin Casparij (Manchester City), Caitlin Dijkstra (VfL Wolfsburg), Dominique Janssen (Manchester United), Marisa Olislagers (Brighton & Hove Albion), Lynn Wilms (Aston Villa), Ilse van der Zanden (Fiorentina)

Midfielders: Damaris Egurrola (OL Lyonnes), Jackie Groenen (Paris Saint‑Germain), Wieke Kaptein (Chelsea), Ella Peddemors (VfL Wolfsburg), Victoria Pelova (Arsenal), Jill Roord (FC Twente), Daniëlle van de Donk (London City Lionesses), 

Attackers: Lineth Beerensteyn (VfL Wolfsburg), Esmee Brugts (FC Barcelona), Chasity Grant (Aston Villa), Romée Leuchter (Paris Saint‑Germain), Vivianne Miedema (Manchester City)

Referee: Frida Klarlund (Denmark)

MATCH STATS
The Netherlands are ranked one place outside the top ten in the world while Ireland are 27^th.

Ireland played out a backs-to-the wall scoreless draw against the Dutch in Utrecht in November 2017. 

Over 13,000 tickets have been sold for Saturday’s match which is being played in the 23,750 capacity Stadion Galgenwaard.

PREDICTION
3-1 home win

Republic of Ireland

Injured: Denise O’Sullivan, Hayley Nolan, Izzy Atkinson, Heather Payne, Jess Ziu, 

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Netherlands

Injured: None

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

extratime.com will be covering the game against the Netherlands from Utrecht on Saturday evening.

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— extratime.com (@extratime.com) March 6, 2026 at 7:54 AM