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. Formerly with the Chelsea academy, Hopcroft also previously played for Birmingham City and London City Lionesses.
While experienced defender Heather Payne returns to the squad for the first time in a year, Ward will be without several players for the first leg in Astana on 9 October ( ). Captain Katie McCabe and midfielder Marissa Sheva are suspended while Denise O'Sullivan will not travel with the squad for the opening leg. Tara O'Hanlon (hamstring) and Saoirse Noonan (ankle) are ruled out of both games, while Ruesha Littlejohn - currently without a club - is not included.
The Republic of Ireland 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 (19:30). The Republic of Ireland - who made their World Cup debut at the 2023 tournament in Australia - for will face Poland or Belgium in the play-off final if they progress.
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)
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