Republic of Ireland call up Crystal Palace's Shanade Hopcroft for Women's World Cup play-off
Ward names Hopcroft as Republic prepare for Kazakhstan play-off
Republic of Ireland boss Carla Ward has called up Crystal Palace midfielder Shanade Hopcroft for next month’s Women's World Cup play-off against Kazakhstan.
England-born Hopcroft, 28, qualifies for the Republic of Ireland through her County Sligo-born grandmother. She returned to Crystal Palace earlier this month following a spell at Birmingham City and has previously been with the Chelsea academy and London City Lionesses.
Squad changes and absentees
Experienced defender Heather Payne returns to the squad for the first time in a year. Ward will, however, be without several players for the first leg in Astana on 9 October at 12:00 BST.
- Captain Katie McCabe and midfielder Marissa Sheva are suspended
- Denise O'Sullivan will not travel with the squad for the opening leg
- Tara O'Hanlon is ruled out of both games with a hamstring injury
- Saoirse Noonan is ruled out of both games with an ankle injury
- Ruesha Littlejohn, currently without a club, is not included
The Republic dropped into the play-offs after failing to secure automatic World Cup qualification, losing their winner-takes-all final qualifier against France in June.
After the first leg in Astana, Ward’s side will host Kazakhstan at Pairc Ui Chaoimh in Cork on 13 October at 19:30. The Republic, who made their World Cup debut at the 2023 tournament in Australia, will face Poland or Belgium in the play-off final if they progress.
Republic of Ireland squad
Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (Southampton), Sophie Whitehouse (Charlton Athletic)
Defenders: Aoife Mannion (Newcastle United), Heather Payne (Leicester City), Anna Patten (Aston Villa), Caitlin Hayes (Brighton & Hove Albion), Jessie Stapleton (Leicester City), Megan Connolly (Lazio), Hayley Nolan (Crystal Palace), Chloe Mustaki (Nottingham Forest), Katie McCabe (Chelsea)
Midfielders: Denise O'Sullivan (Gotham FC), Marissa Sheva (Sunderland), Aoibheann Clancy (Watford), Jamie Finn (Burnley), Lucy Quinn (Sheffield United), Tyler Toland (Burnley), Jess Ziu (Leicester City), Shanade Hopcroft (Crystal Palace)
Forwards: Kyra Carusa (HB Koge), Amber Barrett (Strasbourg), Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace), Emily Murphy (Brighton & Hove Albion), Leanne Kiernan (Newcastle United)