Ireland draw Turkey, Slovenia and Greece in Europe’s Nations League for 2025

Eileen Gleeson’s side will hope to commence what should be a swift return to the elite stage having already qualified for their second successive major tournament.

They face a two-legged play-off with Wales beginning later this month in their quest to qualify for the Euro 2025 finals in Switzerland.

However, unlike their 2023 appearance at the World Cup, when Vera Pauw was able to unearth a series of highly competitive friendly games against world-class opposition, these six games in the spring will be less than ideal should they, as expected, confirm their Euro 2025 slot.

Ireland (ranked 24 by FIFA) were top seeds in the group alongside Slovenia (40), Turkiye (58), Greece (61).

The league stage will determine which four teams progress to the 2024 finals (which will now be played as two-legged ties) and also promotion and relegation between the leagues ahead of the European Qualifiers phase for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

Ireland’s first appearance in Group B last year saw them earn a clean sweep and they will target that tally once more although the opposition is collectively slightly more competitive on paper.

Indeed, some Irish fans will recall a costly draw in Greece which cost them a place at the 2022 European Championships in England; the two nations drew their Dublin encounter.

They have met on five other occasions, all in this century, and though Ireland won the first pair 5-0 and 3-1 in 2003 World Cup qualifiers, two draws and a slim 1-0 win subsequently is illustrative.

Ireland have played Slovenia twice, comfortable 3-0 and 2-0 successes in 2015 World Cup qualifying; they have never met Turkey.

Ireland’s last appearance saw them switch one fixture to the Aviva – against Northern Ireland weeks after the World Cup in 2023.

Conservative estimates suggest the FAI may hold fire before contemplating a similar idea, albeit the success of their venture to Cork may open the path to a return visit south as they seek to build upon their growing support base.

The four League A group winners will contest the UEFA Nations League finals.

Automatic promotion and relegation will see the group winners of Leagues B and C promoted, while the fourth-placed teams of Leagues A and B, as well as the two lowest-ranked third-placed teams of League B (27 to 28 in the overall league rankings), are relegated.

Promotion and relegation matches, played on a home-and-away basis, will be disputed by the third-placed teams of League A and the League B runners-up for a position in League A, while the two best-ranked third-placed teams of League B, ranked 25 to 26 in the overall league rankings, will play the two best-ranked League C runners-up, ranked 39 to 40 in the overall league rankings, for a position in League B.

“We now know our opponents for the next UEFA Nations League campaign, which will help us with planning and preparation for the games,” said Gleeson, ahead of ties that will take place in three international windows, February 19-26, April 2-8 and May 28-June 3. “Promotion to League A is the overall aim for the upcoming Nations League campaign to ensure we compete at the highest level and maximise opportunities to qualify for major tournaments.

“For now, our focus remains on the UEFA EURO 2025 Qualifying Play-Off against Wales with two huge games away in Cardiff on November 29th and home in Aviva Stadium on December 3rd. We look forward to seeing our fans at the Aviva on December 3rd and thank them for your continued support.”