The 2023 Women's World Cup was a remarkable benchmark for the Irish women to reach.
Unfortunately for the Girls In Green, this tournament wasn't full of all the glory we had hoped for, failing to take a single point from either of the two games we have played so far.
However, the girls should leave the tournament with their heads held high as they put on three brilliant displays of football.
First falling short in a 1-0 defeat to Australia, the game-winning goal which was unlucky for the Irish decided by a penalty following a challenge by Marissa Sheva on Hayley Raso in Ireland's box.
The second game started out like a fairytale, Ireland started on the front foot, pressing high and Katie McCabe, leading with the captain's armband slotting home an outrageous goal right from the corner flat to register our first-ever goal at a Women's World Cup.
Ireland’s first ever goal at a @FIFAWWC 🙌⚽️@Katie_McCabe11 with one of the great World Cup goals 🇮🇪💚#COYGIG | #OUTBELIEVE | #FIFAWWC
pic.twitter.com/nK9C3GUXl5— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) July 26, 2023
Unfortunately, bad luck struck again for the Girls in Green when a cross was whizzed into Ireland's penalty box on the slipper surface, Megan Connolly tried to redirect the trajectory of the ball with a touch, but our faintest of touches worked against us, as the ball ended up in the back of the net to give Canada their equaliser.
The Girls in Green even managed to secure their first-ever point in a FIFA Women's World Cup in a 0-0 draw with Nigeria.
FT | Finishing off our campaign with our first ever @FIFAWWC point and clean sheet 👏
What a group 🇮🇪#COYGIG | #OUTBELIEVE | #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/qC0iIktUV5— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) July 31, 2023
Who do the Ireland Women's team play next in the 2023 Women's World Cup?
Unfortunately, Ireland will bow out of this year's Women's World Cup at the group stage after securing only one point from their three games.
Although they have failed to progress to ther round of 16, the Irish women's team have created history on three occasions during this World Cup and has created a legacy for Irish women's football.
They will bow out of this tournament as being the first ever Irish women's team to play in a Women's World Cup, captain Katie McCabe scored an outrageous goal straight from the corner flag to register Ireland's first-ever goal at a women's world cup and a player of the match performance from Courtney Brosnan secured Ireland's women with their first ever point and clean sheet in a world cup game.
17 July 2023; The Republic of Ireland squad at Meakin Park in Brisbane, Australia, ahead of the start of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023. Back row, from left, Marissa Sheva, Lucy Quinn, Ciara Grant, Claire O'Riordan, Lily Agg, Abbie Larkin, Jamie Finn, Izzy Atkinson and Harriet Scott; middle row, Sinead Farrelly, Heather Payne, Grace Moloney, Courtney Brosnan, Megan Walsh, Sophie Whitehouse, Kyra Carusa and Chloe Mustaki; front row, Ruesha Littlejohn, Diane Caldwell, Louise Quinn, Denise O'Sullivan, Katie McCabe, Megan Connolly, Niamh Fahey, Áine O'Gorman and Amber Barrett. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Who are the Irish women's team playing in the 2023 Women's World Cup?
The Irish women will play at least three matches in this year's tournament and whether they play more after that will be decided by themselves.
Ireland's opening three games will be in Group B, which has been coined as the 'Group of Death' by sports experts and fans.
Group B features the hosts Australia, reigning Olympic champions Canada and the ever-physical Nigeria, not to mention Ireland, who people say could be a dark horse in the competition due to their brilliant defence, which many teams find difficult to get past.
On average Ireland concede no more than two goals a game, which is an impressive stat.
Ireland WNT Group Standings
2023 Women's World Cup - Group B
| Group B |
| Teams | MP | W | D | L | GD | Points | |
| 1 | Australia | 2 | 2 | - | 1 | +4 | 6 |
| 2 | Nigeria | 1 | 1 | 2 | - | +1 | 5 |
| 3 | Canada | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -3 | 4 |
| 4 | Rep. Ireland | 2 | - | 1 | 2 | -2 | 1 |
When Are Ireland's WNT Group Games?
Rep. of Ireland v Australia
Thursday, July 20th - Women's World Cup - Match 2
- Venue: Stadium Australia, Sydney
- Time: 11am (Irish time)
- Where to watch: RTÉ2 & RTÉ Player
Rep. of Ireland v Canada
Wednesday, July 26th - Women's World Cup - Match 19
- Venue: Perth Rectangular Stadium, Perth
- Time: 1pm (Irish time)
- Where to watch: RTÉ2 & RTÉ Player
Rep. of Ireland v Nigeria
Monday, July 31st - Women's World Cup - Match 36
- Venue: Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane
- Time: 11am (Irish time)
- Where to watch: RTÉ2 & RTÉ Player
The rest of Group B fixtures
- 21 July 2023: Nigeria v Canada, at 12:30pm (3:30am Irish time) in AAMI Park 2023 Women's World Cup
- 27 July 2023: Australia v Nigeria, at 8pm (11am Irish time) in Lang Park,
- 31 July 2023: Canada v Australia, at 8pm (11am Irish time) in AAMI Park
Can I watch all of the 64 Women's World Cup games live?
YES!
All the fixtures throughout the tournament will be available to watch live by Irish supporters. All 64 games of the tournament will be shown live across RTÉ 2, the RTÉ News channel and the Player.
See Also: The Best & Worst Case Scenarios For Ireland Ahead Of World Cup Draw
