Republic of Ireland Women's Football Team

Jana McCabe
BBC Sport NI journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Republic of Ireland striker Amber Barrett said the side "are going to give everything we have" in Tuesday's match against France when they have the chance to secure automatic qualification for the World Cup.

Barrett came off the bench in the 76th minute and scored the winner against the Netherlands in the closing stages of the match in Cork in front of a crowd of more than 12,000.

Now, Carla Ward's side have the opportunity to secure a spot in back-to-back World Cups when they travel to Grenoble to face France, who are top of the group.

Even if they draw or lose, they will have the fallback of a seeded play-off spot, but Barrett insists they are going out to get the job done on Tuesday.

"We do not have anything to lose," Barrett told RTE after the game.

"When we started the group, what everyone was looking at was not finishing fourth. We avoided that tonight and we have nothing to lose on Tuesday, we are going to give everything we have.

"Whatever happens, we still have the play-offs in October and December."

Laurent Bonadei's side were the 2-1 victors against the Republic of Ireland at Tallaght Stadium in March.

Barrett added that despite the side coming into the "cup final" unbeaten in three matches, they will not underestimate the French.

"Before, if you were 2-2 against the Netherlands, you would probably be rubbing your hands together and saying' we will take this', but Carla [Ward] said from the start of the week, let everyone know we will be going to win the game.

"Tuesday is a cup final. Against the Netherlands, we were for it and we were trying to win that game, there was no doubt about it.

"It is a massive game on Tuesday, we will enjoy tonight but we are not taking for granted the French, they are an unbelievable side. Recover, get ready and let's go again."

Image source, Getty Images

The Republic of Ireland will play their 2027 Women's World Cup qualifier with the Netherlands at Pairc Ui Chaoimh in Cork.

The qualifier on 5 June will be the third time the Republic of Ireland have played at the home of gaelic games in Cork.

The Republic of Ireland defeated France in a memorable 3-1 win in front of 18,400 fans in 2024, and Carla Ward's side picked up a 1-0 win against Slovenia last year.

Ward said that her squad "love" playing in Cork and they will look to extend their unbeaten run at the stadium against the Netherlands in their final home qualifier of the campaign, before a final fixture in France.

"The team has won both matches at Pairc Ui Chaoimh so far, and we will be aiming to continue that run against the Netherlands," Ward said.

"I've no doubt that our supporters will come out in their numbers to back the team as we aim to move closer to securing a place at the World Cup."

The Republic of Ireland are third in League A2 and picked up six points against Poland in April's double-header.

Ward's side lost their opening qualifier to France at Tallaght Stadium, and were narrowly defeated 2-1 by the Netherlands in Utrecht in March.

Image source, Getty Images

Republic of Ireland midfielder Ruesha Littlejohn has been ruled out of Tuesday's World Cup qualifier against Poland in Gdansk (17:00 BST).

The 35-year-old is unavailable due to "a flare up" of an Achilles injury but is expected to return for the second match of the must-win double header at the Aviva Stadium.

The Republic of Ireland lost against France and Netherlands in their opening two matches of the qualifying campaign and currently sit bottom of the Group A2.

"Ruesha will be out tomorrow but available for the second game," said Republic of Ireland manager Carla Ward.

"Just a flare-up in the Achilles. She'll be back next game."

Poland opened their campaign with a draw at home to the Netherlands before being beaten 4-1 by leaders France.

Tuesday's home side have multiple key threats upfront, including captain Ewa Pajor, with the side netting 12 goals in their past five games.

"You can't underestimate Poland," Ward continued.

"They're a top side with world class players, similar to France and Netherlands. So it'll be the same approach as it would be if we were playing France and Netherlands and we want to try and get points from every single game.

"We love to fight. We love the energy. They're similar. So, we're going to have to absolutely match that."