Vera Pauw admits that the Republic of Ireland could be left in play-off purgatory on Tuesday week, with victory against Scotland or Austria offering no guarantee that they will qualify for the World Cup.
A complex, convoluted seeding system means Ireland will need to win and then hope either Switzerland or Iceland lose their play-offs on the same evening to seal an automatic place at next summer's tournament in Australia in New Zealand.
If Ireland, the Swiss and Iceland all win, the Girls in Green - the lowest ranked side of the trio - will likely have to head to the inter-confederation play-offs in New Zealand, where 10 teams will compete for three available qualifying spots.
The standings are so close that goal difference could be a factor.
It's also possible Ireland will kick off their play-off match earlier than Iceland and Switzerland, with UEFA allowing the individual host federations to determine the kick-off times.
RTÉ will televise the play-off, with their Tuesday night Champions League obligations adding another layer to the fixture puzzle.
The national broadcaster is in ongoing conversation with the FAI and TV companies in Scotland and Austria with regards to kick-off times. The current projected kick-off is 6pm Irish time if Austria are the opponents. If Scotland win, the kick-off time remains to be confirmed but is likely to be later.
On the pitchside hoardings during Ireland's Nations League defeat in Hampden Park last Saturday, the Scottish FA were advertising the play-off with Ireland as a potential double-header with the Austria clash.
This is huge – and we need you at Hampden.
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) September 12, 2022
Tickets for our #FIFAWWC play-off matches are now on sale.
➡️ Get your tickets here: https://t.co/mmWE0JhSzW#SWNT pic.twitter.com/hfDtD2qQLN
"What is strange are that the three games are not at the same time because it could come down to goal difference and we may have to play one hour earlier," said Pauw.
"I don't understand. Every last round of a competition is played at the same time. And I have asked [UEFA] why but they haven't given me an answer. So one team might know they need an extra goal and they can gamble. That is very unfair play.
"But to be honest, the whole set-up has not been the best. It’s not yet amended by UEFA. It’s very strange.
"To be fair to RTÉ, they want our game but they also have contracts. It’s not their problem. RTÉ do their best."
Ireland will gather at Abbotstown on Tuesday to begin their preparations, which will again include games against a boys underage team.
On Thursday evening the group will sit down to watch the Scotland-Austria first-round play-off, after which preparations will really ramp up for their huge showdown.
"If you are in elite sport you grow to a certain level and that process is very rewarding for everybody involved; for players who feel they dominate better in situations, for the staff who see what all the work is bringing into the team," added Pauw.
"But at the end if you don't win you don't have anything. That is elite sport. It is a very double feeling. I am proud of where we are but I am very conscious of the fact that we do not have anything yet.
"[Pressure] is a good thing. We have grown to that, we have worked really hard to be independent and to love the pressure at the highest level, instead of being afraid of it."
Expanding on the wider impact of the Ireland women's making it to a World Cup, she said: "You cannot imagine what it will do because I have seen it in other countries, I have experienced it in the Netherlands.
"We are now in the position we were in in 2009 when I was coach there and we broke through and went to the semi-final [of the Euros, where they lost to England]; four minutes left in extra-time and we were in the final [Jill Scott's 116th-minute goal earned England a 2-1 victory]. The whole country was upside down.
"It is football. It is the biggest sport here. It will make a huge difference, not only for the game, not only for the joy that people feel, but especially for thousands of girls afterwards.
"This is the biggest cup final we have ever played."
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