CARLA: WE'LL RISE TWO THE OCCASION

Ward insists second place is a realistic target for Ireland

- BY MARK McCADDEN

CARLA Ward says Ireland can set their sights as high as a second place finish in their World Cup qualifiers and bank a favourable playoff route to Brazil in 2027.

The Girls in Green have been drawn against France, the Netherlands and Poland in Group A2, with the fixtures taking place between next February and June.

The draw could have been a lot tougher, with England, Spain and Iceland drawn together in A3, and Germany, Norway and Austria in A4.

Poland were the lowest ranked of the third seeds, while the Netherlands recently switched managers after a disappointing Euro 2025 appearance, where they failed to get out of the group stages, losing 4-0 to England and 5-2 to France.

Asked if second place was realistic, Ward replied: "I think France are beatable. I think all these teams are. So I don't think it's necessarily the target's third.

"We want to target as many points as possible. I think it's more a reality of understanding we're coming up against some really top sides.

"Third, at minimum, would get us a better route than fourth and also continue our status [in League A]. It will get us in a better position for the following Nations League campaign.