Sparta Prague attacker Kess Elmore has earned an unexpected maiden Northern Ireland call-up for the 2027 Women’s World Cup play-off against Portugal.
The 27-year-old former England youth international is among five newcomers selected by Michael McArdle.
Galway United full-back Lucy-Jayne Grant receives her first call-up alongside Irish Premiership players Naomi McLaughlin, Jane McMaster and Charlotte Havern.
Havern has enjoyed an impressive season with champions Cliftonville, while McMaster has excelled for Linfield. McLaughlin has also performed well for Glentoran since returning from Aberdeen midway through the campaign.
Several players are unavailable because of injury, including Kelsie Burrows, Laura Rafferty, Nadene Caldwell, Megan Bell, Joely Andrews, Danielle Maxwell and Caragh Hamilton.
Captain Simone Magill has resumed training after giving birth to her daughter Skye during the summer, but these play-off fixtures arrive too early for her return.
Northern Ireland will welcome Portugal to Inver Park on Friday, 9 October, with the second leg taking place in Portimao four days afterward.
The teams previously faced each other during Euro 2025 qualifying, when Portugal claimed a 4-0 victory in Leiria before winning 2-1 at Mourneview Park.
Should McArdle’s team overcome Portugal, who sit 28 positions above Northern Ireland in the rankings, they will meet either Iceland or Croatia in the following play-off stage.
Most winners from the second play-off round will secure a place at the finals in Brazil. However, Northern Ireland’s ranking means they would probably need to contest an additional intercontinental play-off in February as Europe’s lowest-ranked remaining team to reach their first World Cup.
McArdle said there is a strong sense of excitement because the squad contains a well-balanced blend of players.
He added that competition is now intense both for earning a place in the squad and for retaining it.
According to McArdle, that competition creates the energy his team will require when facing Portugal and pursuing World Cup qualification.
What do you feel about this post?
Like
Love
Happy
Haha
Sad
