Ireland WNT to face Belgium at Aviva Stadium in play-off

June 17, 2025

Ireland will play Belgium at the Aviva Stadium in the first leg of their UEFA Nations League promotion/relegation play-off in October.

The women’s side are set to feature at the national stadium for the fifth time having attracted a cumulative attendance of 117,438 supporters over the previous games.

Ireland have a chance for promotion to League A if successful against Belgium which would see the girls in green take on Spain and England in the next campaign.

Ireland are ranked 25th in the world compared to Belgium at 20, who despite falling to defeat four times in the Nations League proved they can compete with the best as seen with a 3-2 win over England in April.

Carla Ward’s team tasted defeat just once in the 2025 Nations League group games, a 4-0 defeat away from home to Slovenia in February to go with five victories.

Ireland turned the tables on Slovenia in the final League B outing earlier this month when Saoirse Noonan scored the only goal of the game at Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork.

However that win wasn’t enough to claim top spot in the group and guaranteed promotion despite levelling Slovenia on points with 15, forced to settle for second on goal difference.

Ward called on supporters to buy tickets and build strength in numbers for the October 24 showdown in Dublin.

“The game against Belgium is massive for us in wanting to get promoted to League A in the UEFA Nations League but also with helping us in the qualifiers for the 2027 FIFA World Cup, so it is fantastic that we will play the first leg in the Aviva Stadium.

“The Aviva Stadium is one of the best stadiums in the world and I’ve been there as a fan on nights when the Irish fans create the atmosphere that they are famous for and it is really special.

“I’d encourage our fans to help make this another memorable night by securing their ticket and getting behind the team.”

We’re in for a Big Friday Night. ☘️

Aviva Stadium, October 24th, 7pm ️ pic.twitter.com/p7CpHOG5Fn

— Ireland Football ⚽️ (@IrelandFootball) June 17, 2025

With the first leg scheduled for the Friday night, Belgium will welcome Ireland for the second leg the following Tuesday.

Ireland are preparing to play two friendlies against the USA in the states later this month on Thursday 26th in Denver, Colorado and Sunday, 29th in Cincinnati.

There are a number of key senior players left out of the squad for rest such as Arsenal star Katie McCabe, who Ward indicated was on the verge of ‘burnout.’