In the dawn of the new EA Sports FC 25 era one of the very interesting features brought into the game was that women were now playable alongside men on Ultimate Team.
Women's football had been a feature of the old FIFA games in the final few years before the re-brand but only in kick-off and only against other women's teams. Bringing them on to Ultimate Team has been an inspired move by EA Sports as with the rapid rise in popularity in women's football, the players are now more recognisable because of the video game.
As we saw when the player ratings were released, the women dominated the top of the list of the best active Irish players in the game with the trio of Katie McCabe, Denise O'Sullivan and Megan Walsh rounding off the top 3 highest rated Irish players.
With that being said, what's the best women's XI you can play with in EA Sports FC 25? We had a look and picked what we think is the best lineup based solely on overalls.
Note: We've also made an Irish Men's XI as well
Best Active Female Irish XI In EA Sports FC 25
Formation: 3-5-2
Goalkeeper- Megan Walsh (78 OVR)
17 February 2023; Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Megan Walsh during a behind closed doors training match between Republic of Ireland and Germany at Marbella Football Centre in Marbella, Spain. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
In between the sticks it's Megan Walsh, the third highest rated Irish player in EA FC 25. It's been a rough spell for Walsh since making the switch to the Hammers last summer from Brighton but
Centre-Backs- Niamh Fahey (73 OVR), Diane Caldwell (70 OVR) & Claire Walsh (69 OVR)
31 July 2023; Niamh Fahey of Republic of Ireland is substituted off for teammate Diane Caldwell during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 Group B match between Republic of Ireland and Nigeria at Brisbane Stadium in Brisbane, Australia. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
We've gone for a back three again with the women's team and there's a good mix of experience in it in the form of Niamh Fahey and Diane Caldwell. They both may be the other side of 30 but with their over 100 caps of experience and their solid ratings, they should be able to help Glasgow City's Claire Walsh who we've chosen over Aoife Mannion as her total in-game stats of 1708 is greater than Mannion's 1608.
Right Midfield- Kyra Carusa (71 OVR)
4 June 2024; Kyra Carusa of Republic of Ireland in action against Hanna Lundkvist of Sweden during the 2025 UEFA Women's European Championship qualifying match between Sweden and Republic of Ireland at Friends Arena in Stockholm, Sweden. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
We've done a bit of reshuffling here and slotted Kyra Carusa on the right wing. With her fairly all-round stats she should be able to do a solid job out wide in any team.
CDMs- Denise O'Sullivan (80 OVR) & Hayley Nolan (72 OVR)
25 October 2023; Hayley Nolan and Denise O'Sullivan, left, during a Republic of Ireland women training session at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown, Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
What Ireland may lack up top they make up for with a solid midfield with Denis O'Sullivan and Hayley Nolan. O'Sullivan, in particular, looks to be a good card with her 82 pace meaning she's able to get around the park very well.
Left Midfield- Katie McCabe (85 OVR)
4 June 2024; Katie McCabe of Republic of Ireland after the 2025 UEFA Women's European Championship qualifying match between Sweden and Republic of Ireland at Friends Arena in Stockholm, Sweden. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
On the left who else but Katie McCabe. By far the best Irish player in the game McCabe was so close to cracking into the top 100 players in the game, coming in at 101st place. Her stats mean she can do a bit of everything, with her worst stat being her 74 shooting.
CAM- Marissa Sheva (70 OVR)
26 July 2023; Marissa Sheva of Republic of Ireland during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 Group B match between Canada and Republic of Ireland at Perth Rectangular Stadium in Perth, Australia. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
In the CAM or 10 role, it's Marissa Sheva. The Portland Thorns attacker is the smallest on the team at 5'3 but with her explosive pace she should be more than capable of holding her own.
Strikers- Leanne Kiernan (73 OVR) & Heather Payne (71 OVR)
14 September 2021; Leanne Kiernan, left, and Heather Payne during a Republic of Ireland training session at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown, Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
It's a strike paring straight out of Merseyside as Liverpool's Leanne Kiernan partners Everton's Heather Payne up top to finish our XI. Hopefully they can put aside their club rivalry ti team up in game.
