Ireland vs Belgium women’s Nations League predicted lineup: Katie McCabe in line for 100th cap

28th October 2025 Oliver Taliku

Republic of Ireland international Katie McCabe

See here for our Ireland predicted lineups as the women’s team looks to hold on to their Nations League playoff lead against Belgium.

What’s at stake for Ireland vs Belgium?

If Ireland are to hold on to their two goal advantage against Belgium, they will be promoted in the Nations League.

The Girls in Green are currently in League B of the competition but a win in their playoff this week would see them enter the top flight with the strongest nations.

Being in League A comes with plenty of positives. As well as playing against the best in the world, teams in League A can earn a spot at the 2027 World Cup.

The top four teams from the league phase earn automatic qualification to the World Cup while everyone else has to go through the usual qualification process.

Katie McCabe 100th cap

The main team news for Ireland ahead of Tuesday’s game is the status of Katie McCabe.

McCabe is in line to captain her nation once more in what will be her 100th international cap.

The Arsenal defender was crucial for Ireland against Belgium in the first leg of their Nations League playoff. McCabe scored two against the Red Devils and was only denied a hat-trick by a wicked deflection on what would’ve been her third goal.

McCabe has been one of the biggest heroes for Ireland’s women in the past decade, no less when she helped her nation qualify for their first-ever World Cup in 2023.

The Irish icon also scored her country’s first goal at a major tournament with a stunning Olimpico.

There is no doubt that the 29-year-old will go down in history for Ireland and her 100th cap on Tuesday will be a landmark in her career.

Aoife Mannion at the core of Ireland’s defence

Newcastle United defender Aoife Mannion will continue alongside McCabe in defence.

The 30-year-old only has 16 caps to her name having switched allegiance from England in 2023.

In the brief time that Mannion has represented her country she has been a reliable force at the back and one of the first names on Carla Ward’s team-sheet.

Mannion admitted after the first leg against Belgium that the game isn’t over yet.

There will no doubt be more defensive responsibilities for Mannion in the second leg with Belgium chasing Ireland’s two goal lead down, but the experienced full-back has proved she can handle the pressure on occasions like these.

Ireland predicted lineup vs Belgium

Ireland predicted lineup: Moloney; McCabe, Mustaki, Hayes, Stapleton, Mannion; O’Sullivan, Sheva, Littlejohn; Murphy, Carusa.

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About Oliver Taliku 318 Articles
Olly Taliku has worked with highly respected sports and gambling websites where he has produced hundreds of articles, as well as being published with Burton Albion and Chesterfield FC. At Burton Olly worked closely alongside the women's team, producing mainly matchday content including reports and interviews. He also has experience as an accredited Premier League and EFL writer for Prost International where he worked during the 2021/22 season to produce matchday content as an on location reporter. Olly specialises in women's football as well as long form SEO content plus news and tips. While he enjoys writing about all football, Olly supports Arsenal passionately as a lifelong fan of the club.

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