Ireland were drawn into Group B1 in League B for the inaugural version of the UEFA Women's Nations League.
Vera Pauw's side will play Northern Ireland, Hungary and Albania. Ireland's involvement in the competition will kick off in September 2023 with two games. There will also be two games in both October and November. Tallaght Stadium will be the home venue for these games
Ireland have never met Albania at senior level before, while they have played against Hungary on seven occasions and against Northern Ireland more than any other nation.
11 April 2023; Republic of Ireland players and staff, from left, assistant manager Tom Elmes, Evelyn McMullan, FAI team operations, Denise O'Sullivan, FAI communications executive Gareth Maher, masseuse Suzie Coffey, Kyra Carusa, manager Vera Pauw, Tara O'Hanlon, Megan Connolly, physiotherapist Angela Kenneally, kit and equipment manager Orla Haran, Aoife Mannion, team doctor Siobhan Forman and Diane Caldwell after the women's international friendly match between USA and Republic of Ireland at CITYPARK in St Louis, Missouri, USA. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
"Now that we know our opponents for the UEFA Women's Nations League, we can start planning accordingly," said Ireland manager Vera Pauw.
"But our priority for the next few months will, understandably, will be on preparing for FIFA Women's World Cup 2023.
"Having the UEFA Nations League games gives us something to look forward to after the World Cup, especially since our three home games will be part of a first ever WNT Season Ticket package in Tallaght Stadium. It is really exciting that we get to continue building our fanbase and we look forward to playing in front of our amazing fans again this year.
"For these UEFA Nations League games, we are under no illusion that they will be difficult challenges for us. We are the top-seeded team in League B but we cannot take anything for granted if we are to achieve our aim of topping our group and qualifying into League A."
As part of the format, the group winners will be promoted to League A. The second-placed team will play against the third-placed team in League A. The winner of each match play in League A; the defeated team will play in League B.
The three best third-placed teams play off against the three best-ranked second-placed teams of League C. The winners play in League B for the European Qualifiers phase; the defeated teams will play in League C. The lowest ranked third-placed team and the four fourth-placed teams are relegated to League C.
The Nations League games will played as single-leg games, with two semi-finals, a third-place play-off and a final. A draw will determine the semi-final ties and the home team in each of the matches. The final winners are declared the UEFA Nations League winners.
The two finalists qualify for the 2024 Women's Olympic Football Tournament, alongside hosts France.
Meanwhile, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has threatened a blackout of this summer's Women's World Cup in the UK, Spain, Italy, Germany and France if rights offers from broadcasters are not improved.
"Should the offers continue not to be fair, we will be forced not to broadcast the Fifa Women's World Cup into the 'big five' European countries," said Infantino.
"I call, therefore, on all players, fans, football officials, presidents, prime ministers, politicians and journalists all over the world to join us and support this call for a fair remuneration of women's football. Women deserve it, as simple as that."
2023/24 UEFA Women's Nations League fixtures
League stage
Matchdays 1–2: 20–26 September 2023
Matchdays 3–4: 25–31 October 2023
Matchdays 5–6: 29 November–5 December 2023
Finals
Between 21 and 28 February 2024
Promotion/relegation Matches
Between 21 and 28 February 2024
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