Crystal Palace midfielder Shanade Hopcroft has been unexpectedly included in republic of Ireland manager Carla Ward’s squad for next month’s two‑leg Women’s World Cup play‑off against Kazakhstan, the Football Association of Ireland confirmed in the squad release reported by multiple outlets.
- Shanade Hopcroft has been called into the Republic of Ireland squad for the World Cup play‑off with Kazakhstan; she qualifies through a Sligo‑born grandmother (reported).
- McCabe and Sheva are suspended for the first leg; Denise O’Sullivan is included but will not travel to Astana on welfare grounds (reported).
- Heather Payne returns to the squad; Tara O’Hanlon and Saoirse Noonan are injured and unavailable for both legs (reported).
- Ruesha Littlejohn is not included and remains without a club (reported).
What has been announced
Hopcroft, 28, who rejoined Crystal Palace earlier this month after a spell at Birmingham City, is named among eight midfielders in Ward’s 23‑player selection for the play‑off semi‑final first leg in Astana on 9 October and the return leg at Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork on 13 October.
The squad list includes experienced names such as Courtney Brosnan, Katie McCabe and Denise O’Sullivan (listed but not travelling to the first leg), and marks the return of Leicester City defender Heather Payne after a year out of the group. Several players are unavailable for the first match: captain Katie McCabe and midfielder Marissa Sheva are suspended for the Astana tie, while Tara O’Hanlon (hamstring) and Saoirse Noonan (ankle) are ruled out of both legs.
Eligibility and background on Hopcroft
Hopcroft is England‑born and qualifies for the Republic of Ireland through her grandmother, who is from County Sligo. She progressed through the Chelsea academy and has previous spells with Birmingham City and London City Lionesses, with reports also noting time playing in the United States college system and with Colorado Buffaloes before returning to England.
Why the selection matters
Hopcroft’s debut call‑up is notable because she has not been a regular in recent Ireland squads and was described by national outlets as a surprise inclusion. With McCabe and Sheva suspended for the Astana game and O’Sullivan not travelling for that leg, Ward’s options in midfield will be altered for the opening match, making squad depth important over the two legs.
The play‑off is the next step for Ireland after they missed automatic qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, their place in the path decided following the decisive qualification period earlier in the year. If Ireland progress past Kazakhstan, they will meet the winner of the Poland v Belgium tie in the final play‑off round for a spot in next summer’s World Cup in Brazil, as reported by Irish press coverage of the announced squad.
Confirmed squad for the play‑off (as reported)
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 Køge), Amber Barrett (Strasbourg), Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace), Emily Murphy (Brighton & Hove Albion), Leanne Kiernan (Newcastle United)
Injuries, suspensions and selection decisions
Multiple outlets report that McCabe and Sheva are suspended for the Astana first leg and will be available for the Cork return. Denise O’Sullivan is named in the squad but will not travel for the opening match; the Ireland head coach described that decision as one based on player welfare and load management in media coverage. Tara O’Hanlon and Saoirse Noonan are reported as injured and unavailable for both legs.
Ruesha Littlejohn, who has been without a club since leaving Crystal Palace in the summer, is omitted from this squad; some reports note that her absence appears linked to her current free‑agent status.
What comes next
Republic of Ireland travel to Astana for the first leg on 9 October (12:00 BST) and return to Cork for the second leg at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on 13 October (19:30 local time, as reported). If Ireland advance, they would meet Poland or Belgium in the play‑off final; the winner of that tie secures a World Cup berth.
Carla Ward must manage a squad missing key players for the away fixture while balancing fitness for the home crowd in Cork, where some unavailable players are expected to return. Hopcroft’s inclusion increases midfield options and gives Ward an additional choice should the manager need to reshuffle the team that starts in Astana.
Timeline and local relevance
- 29 September 2026 – Squad announced with Hopcroft receiving a first call‑up (reported by national outlets).
- 9 October 2026 – First leg in Astana (reported kickoff 12:00 BST).
- 13 October 2026 – Return leg at Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork (reported kickoff 19:30 local time).
- If Ireland progress – Play‑off final versus Poland or Belgium to decide a place at the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.
Key takeaways
- Shanade Hopcroft has been called into the Republic of Ireland squad for the World Cup play‑off with Kazakhstan; she qualifies through a Sligo‑born grandmother (reported).
- McCabe and Sheva are suspended for the first leg; Denise O’Sullivan is included but will not travel to Astana on welfare grounds (reported).
- Heather Payne returns to the squad; Tara O’Hanlon and Saoirse Noonan are injured and unavailable for both legs (reported).
- Ruesha Littlejohn is not included and remains without a club (reported).
“Hopcroft is England‑born and qualifies for the Republic of Ireland through her grandmother” (source 1).