'Everyone wants to be in League A' - Ziu on play-off

Ziu is back in the Irish squad for the first time since July 2024

Republic of Ireland midfielder Jess Ziu said that winning promotion to the top tier of the Nations League can only aid her side's development.

Carla Ward's team have the chance to return to League A if they beat Belgium over the course of their two-legged promotion/relegation play-off.

While a move into the top flight would also improve their seeding for the 2027 Women's World Cup qualifiers, Ziu believes the chance to play against the bigger nations on a regular basis is also a huge incentive.

"I think first of all, everyone wants to be playing in League A, bigger teams, more spotlight, but then also it helps with World Cup play-offs with what seed we can get so it's important we go into the game wanting to win and get into League A," she told BBC Sport NI.

"It is going to be harder for us [playing in League A] but ultimately we want to be playing the best teams."

Ziu, who is on loan at Bristol City from West Ham, will come up against friend and roommate Amber Tysiak when the Irish take on Belgium at the Aviva Stadium in Friday's first leg.

" I've been playing with her at West Ham for three years now so we're quite close," she added.

"I've been messaging her back and forth about the game and jersey swaps. When it comes to football on the pitch, there are no friends, once the final whistle goes, I'll speak to her."

The 23-year-old is back in the Republic of Ireland squad for the first time since July 2024 after recovering from a second anterior cruciate ligament injury [ACL] in the space of three years and wants to savour being back in camp.

"I rehabbed one ACL already, came back, and did the second one eight months later, so I'm just excited to see all the girls, be on the pitch and have fun."