Republic of Ireland boss Carla Ward made no secret of her ideal opponents in next year's World Cup qualifiers – she wants a crack at her native England.
Having watched her side produce a display full of heart and quality in a 2-1 loss to Belgium that earned them a 5-4 aggregate play-off victory, and promotion to the top tier of the Nations League, Ward was giddy at the prospect of taking on the Lionesses, who won the Euros last summer.
"I would love England at Wembley," she said when asked to offer her thoughts on potential opponents ahead of Friday week's draw.
"But they'd probably play us at Pride Park or somewhere, wouldn't they?!"
Ireland's promotion to League A means they are guaranteed a seeded place in the play-offs, regardless of how they fare in the World Cup qualifiers, which begin in February.
They've built genuine momentum over the last five days, thanks to an impressive slaying of a strong Belgium side. Having outgunned them 4-2 in last Friday's first leg in Dublin, the Girls in Green showed tremendous character to weather a Tessa Wullaert-sparked storm.
Abbie Larkin's 90th-minute goal to squeeze them through on aggregate was as deserved as it was sweet. Two down at the break, Ireland could have panicked. Instead they asserted themselves with a swagger.
"I said, no time for frustration, no time to be p***ed off, we have to stay calm and we have to adapt," Ward said when asked about her half-time team talk.
"It was very calm, very positive, because they were frustrated, they were really frustrated. We had to regroup, remind them that we're good enough to go and win this game."
Ireland didn't win on the night but over two legs they outfoxed physically imposing opponents.
The Red Flames are seven places higher in the world rankings, however, there was no gulf here; Ward's charges absorbed the blows and swung back with precision. It's taken time, but the ex-Aston Villa and Birmingham City boss's ideology seems to have seeped into the players' bones.
"Belgium are a really good side," added Ward. "They've got some unbelievable footballers, and I don't think anyone really gave us a chance coming into these two games, let's be really honest.
"This team have showed that they can play, and I just said to the technical staff then, 10 months ago when I came in, somebody said to me, ‘they're just not used to playing with a ball’, and I think a lot of the press and the public probably said, well, ‘you know, they can't play football’.
"You've known me a long time, so you know how I like to play with the ball. These last two games have shown that we can play with the ball, if we get the structure right off the ball. I think we found a structure that suits this team, probably this nation, in terms of the way that their whole heart is, and the way they want to be off the ball that suits the way I see the game with the ball."
What happens next is of most importance. Ward was keen to point out "this was one of the youngest squads we've had for a while", but with several key figures either inching towards, or now the wrong side of 30, there is a need to blood fresh talent.
FT: 🇧🇪 2-1 🇮🇪 (4-5 agg.)
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) October 28, 2025
A delighted Carla Ward is looking ahead to League A and who her side will face in a group that doubles up as World Cup qualifying.
📺 @rte2 & @rteplayer https://t.co/b2OI4OpuLh
📻 @rte2fm https://t.co/VgaQpwGRx2
📱 Follow a live blog… pic.twitter.com/VC2a8snF6n
After letting slip that Ireland will have an away friendly in November, Ward agreed efforts must be made to nourish the next generation.
"We've got to look at not just the World Cup, but the Euros as well. And I said when I came in, I think we have to try and build a foundation where we're consistently trying to compete for major tournaments.
"I think that's really important. You know, it doesn't matter how long I'm here for. I want to be able to leave in a better place. Hopefully I'm here for years to come and you have to put up with me. But yeah, I think it's really important that we start to look across the board. But we are.
"And by the way, there's some unbelievable 15- and 16-year-olds coming through. It might take a little bit of time to get them up to speed but there's some real good talent in that age group."
Over 330 Irish fans made the journey to Leuven, cramming into a corner of the Den Dreef Stadium. They were noisy all night, a pocket of green that roared encouragement at every opportunity.
"When I walked out, when we went out to the warm-up, I said, well, I won't use the word in the press conference, but I was like, 'wow'," said Ward.
"They're coming in numbers and you heard them loud, even in the anthem, everything.
"Just at the end, that connection, the Irish connection is unbelievable. They are a credit and they've all come out here and I'd love to buy them all a beer tonight, but I can't because they'll all be off, I'm sure, but we massively appreciate the fans. I said to them in the huddle straight after the game, to the girls, 'we've got to go and celebrate with them now'. It's important."
