Carla Ward: 'If you're going to get to a World Cup, you've got to beat the best'

Republic of Ireland head coach Carla Ward believes every country involved in the World Cup play-off would have wanted to avoid meeting Poland or Belgium.

Ward's Ireland face the arduous journey to take on Kazakhstan - ranked 100th in the world - in October before welcoming their counterparts to these shores in the second-leg thereafter, likely at Cork's Páirc Uí Chaoimh or the Aviva Stadium.

Should they overcome that semi-final challenge, Belgium or Poland - ranked 18th and 29th in the world, respectively - await as Ireland look to book their ticket to Brazil in 2027 and qualify for a second World Cup in a row.

"There's a couple of bits in both rounds that will naturally cause us some difficulties," Ward said post-draw on Thursday. "But I think we've been in tremendous form and confidence is high.

"We have to keep believing that we can get there and we'll do everything we can to do that.

Ireland have overcome their potential final opponents of late, edging Belgium in last October’s Nations League promotion/relegation play-off and seeing off Poland twice en route to qualification for these play-offs."

For Ward, however, it represents the toughest of tasks, but one her side will be ready for if they can get over that Kazakhstan hurdle.

"I think everybody in the room would probably say that that was the one that everyone wanted to avoid. Belgium and Poland are top sides, we played Belgium in the play-offs going back in October," she said.

"They were a really, really good side and they've shown that again. I think they're really unfortunate to be unseeded this time round. And Poland, again, we played in this campaign and a really good side as well.

"So I think everyone wanted to avoid that, those two. But you know what, if you're going to get to a World Cup, you've got to beat the best. And we're in a good position with the campaign we've had, so we'll go into it with confidence."

So back to that 24-hour round trip to face Kazakhstan. They may sit 79 places below Ireland but Ireland now occupy a position where they will be heavy favourites and will be expected to win and take an advantage back home for the second-leg.

"First of all, we've got to get past Kazakhstan. It's not easy. It's a logistical nightmare, some would say. So it's not going to be easy," the Ireland boss explained.

"We'll do everything we can to get over that first hurdle and then obviously try and navigate that final round if and when we get there."

On that favourites' tag, the former Aston Villa manager added: "That's a privilege that comes with the performances that we've put in. You know, we've earned the right to flip that.

"We have to remind everybody that complacency, there's no room for it, not that you need to tell this group that because they're massively focused."

Ward's women have enjoyed great success of late in front of big crowds at both the Aviva and Páirc Uí Chaoimh, and while she will leave the ultimate decision on venue to those higher up, the 42-year-old has a plan in mind.

"You don't have to ask me twice about Cork. I absolutely love it down there and I think the players do too.

"It's not been confirmed where we'll play. Of course, we would love to have one in Dublin and one in Cork. I think that would be the ultimate dream, but we'll have to wait and see and let the powers that be look after that side of it."

Key dates (awaiting confirmation):

Semi-final away leg: Week of October 7 

Semi-final home leg: Week of October 13 

Potential final away leg: Week of November 26 

Potential final home leg: Week of December 5.