Carla Ward, manager of the Republic of Ireland women's national team, emphasizes her commitment to leading her squad to the Women's World Cup despite rumors linking her to a return to the Women's Super League with her former club, Aston Villa. With a crucial play-off against Kazakhstan approaching, Ward remains focused on securing a spot in next summer's finals in Brazil.

The Republic of Ireland aims to make history once again, having qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 2023, although they did not advance past the group stage, where they faced tough competition from Australia, Canada, and Nigeria. Now, with a golden opportunity ahead, Ward asserts that her primary ambition is to guide the team back to the global stage.

Ward stated, "Nothing is tempting when I'm in this job... I came here to try and get to a World Cup and that's all I'm going to think about for the next four games."

The upcoming matches are critical:

• First leg: 9 October at Astana Arena (12:00 BST)
• Second leg: 13 October in Cork

Despite Kazakhstan's lower ranking at 98th in the world, Ward is cautious, acknowledging the need for her team to elevate their performance. She highlighted the importance of teamwork and clarity in their roles, stating, "If we do that then we'll get the job done."

With a talented squad ready to give their all, the Republic of Ireland is poised for a challenging yet exciting journey ahead.