Ireland Thrashes Kazakhstan 4-0, Eyes World Cup Success
Katie McCabe turned in a stellar performance in Cork, helping the Republic of Ireland seal their place in the final play-off round for the Women's World Cup.
As the final whistle blew, McCabe was already thinking ahead, envisioning the next six weeks. With an 8-0 cushion from the first leg, the second match against Kazakhstan was always expected to be a straightforward affair.
Ireland added four more goals to their tally, featuring a powerful strike from McCabe, and now they stand just two matches away from the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
Standing between Ireland and a spot in back-to-back finals is Poland, and McCabe knows her team must be prepared to meet the challenge. "Two games and we're going to Brazil, but full focus over the next six weeks," she told RTE Sport. "We need to lock in and be ready."
After the commanding win against Kazakhstan, head coach Carla Ward sought to keep the momentum going, reintroducing captain McCabe into the starting lineup following a one-match suspension.
Since a disheartening 4-0 loss to Slovenia in February 2025, Ireland has bounced back impressively. They secured promotion to League A of the Nations League by overcoming Belgium, and they’ve held their own against top-tier teams like the Netherlands and France.
"We've put ourselves in a really good position. The opponents we've faced are top-10 teams, and the girls have done brilliantly," McCabe noted. "Once Carla came in, it’s been a transition period, and it takes time to find our rhythm. We learned from that heavy defeat and have made significant strides since then."
While Poland poses a threat—having recently edged out Belgium on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 aggregate draw—they’ve already faced Ireland twice in the qualifiers, losing both matches back in April.
"We know it’s going to be different come November," McCabe acknowledged. "There’s a World Cup spot at stake, and we need to be ready. It’s an exciting challenge ahead."
After moving to Chelsea this summer following her time at Arsenal, McCabe described the transition as a "breath of fresh air," which she believes will benefit both her club and national performances.
"The time had come for me to start a new chapter. Working with Sonia [Bompastor, Chelsea manager] and the girls has been fantastic. I’m enjoying my football again and taking it one game at a time, but my priority is to help qualify for the World Cup."
With their experience from reaching the World Cup for the first time in 2023, McCabe and her teammates understand what it takes to compete at the highest level.
"We’ve experienced our share of highs and lows. It’s crucial we stick together as we head into November. We’re committed to doing everything possible to secure another chance to represent our country on the world stage."
