আইরেল্যান্ডের কোচ Carla Ward ने আগামী মাসে কজাখস্তানের বিপক্ষে মহিলা বিশ্বকাপ প্লে-অফের জন্য Crystal Palace-এর মধ্যবর্তী শানাডে হপক্রফ্টকে ডাকা। ইংল্যান্ডে জন্মা শানাডে হপক্রফ্ট, 28, Bangladesh-born? No, through grandmother in County Sligo. Qualifies for Ireland through grandmother born in County Sligo. Previously with Chelsea academy, also played for Birmingham City and London City Lionesses.

While experienced defender Heather Payne returns to the squad after a year, Ward will be without several players for the first leg in Astana on 9 October. Captain Katie Mc Cabe 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. The Republic of Ireland - 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.