Northern Ireland name five new call-ups for Portugal World Cup play-off

Northern Ireland have named five first-time call-ups in Michael McArdle's squad for their 2027 Women's World Cup play-off against Portugal. According to BBC Sport, Sparta Prague forward Kess Elmore and Galway United full-back Lucy-Jayne Grant are joined by Naomi McLaughlin, Jane McMaster and Charlotte Havern as the side prepares for a two-legged tie in October.

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Elmore, 27, previously represented England at youth level. The three newcomers from the Irish Premiership have earned selection following notable club campaigns: Havern has featured for champions Cliftonville, McMaster for Linfield and McLaughlin for Glentoran. BBC Sport reported that McLaughlin returned to the league from Aberdeen in a mid-season move. Grant is included among the defenders, with McLaughlin and Havern listed in midfield.

The selections come with several players unavailable because of injury. Kelsie Burrows, Laura Rafferty, Nadene Caldwell, Megan Bell, Joely Andrews, Danielle Maxwell and Caragh Hamilton are all absent, the BBC reported. McArdle's squad also includes forwards Lauren Wade of Hearts, Celtic's Casey Howe, Leyla McFarland of Swiss club Rapperswil-Jona and Linfield's Cora Chambers alongside Elmore. Jackie Burns, Lauren Perry and Maddy Harvey-Clifford are the three goalkeepers named.

Northern Ireland will stage the first leg at Inver Park on Friday, 9 October, before travelling to Portimao for the return match four days later. Portugal won both meetings when the teams faced each other in qualifying for Euro 2025. A 4-0 Portuguese home victory was followed by a closer contest at Mourneview Park, where Northern Ireland lost 2-1.

Portugal are ranked 28 places above Northern Ireland, according to the BBC's report. The winners of this tie will meet either Iceland or Croatia in the next play-off round. That gives McArdle's squad a defined route through the European matches, although winning both rounds would not necessarily secure a place at the finals in Brazil.

The BBC reported that Northern Ireland would likely need an additional intercontinental play-off in February because of their ranking as the lowest European side, even if they advanced through those two rounds. That remains a conditional prospect rather than a confirmed fixture as they pursue a first Women's World Cup appearance.