Sparta Prague forward Kess Elmore is a surprise first call-up for Northern Ireland's 2027 Women's World Cup play-off with Portugal. Elmore, 27, is a former England youth international and is one of five new call-ups in Michael McArdle's squad. Galway United full back Lucy-Jayne Grant is included for the first time, as are the Irish Premiership trio Naomi McLaughlin, Jane McMaster and Charlotte Havern.
Havern has had a strong campaign for champions Cliftonville, while McMaster has stood out for Linfield and McLaughlin has impressed for Glentoran after a mid-season switch back to the league from Aberdeen. There are several absentees through injury, including Kelsie Burrows, Laura Rafferty, Nadene Caldwell, Megan Bell, Joely Andrews, Danielle Maxwell and Caragh Hamilton. Captain Simone Magill, who gave birth to her daughter Skye in the summer, has returned to training but the play-off comes too soon for her to be involved in the matches.
Northern Ireland host Portugal at Inver Park on Friday, 9 October before the return leg in Portimao four days later. The sides last met in Euro 2025 qualifying when Portugal ran out 4-0 winners in Liera before a narrow 2-1 victory at Mourneview Park. If McArdle's side can upset Portugal, who are ranked 28 places higher than NI, then they would face Iceland or Croatia in the next play-off round.
While the majority of teams who win the second play-off round will progress to the finals in Brazil, Northern Ireland's ranking means they would likely face an additional inter-continental play-off round in February, as the lowest European side, if they are to make a first World Cup. "I use the word excitement because we've got a squad that's got a good mix," McArdle said. "It's highly competitive now to break into the squad, but also highly competitive to stay in the squad.
"That brings an energy and, going toe-to-toe with Portugal, that's exactly what you need when you want to try and qualify." It's fair to say that the inclusions of Elmore and Grant came as something of a surprise for two big matches, but it shows the importance of eligibility for McArdle and Northern Ireland. McArdle has been dealing with a lengthy injury list, including some experienced names, but has working over the summer to expand the playing pool available to him. Elmore, whose father is from Lisburn, is a versatile forward and came through the academy at Liverpool before she moved to the USA to play College football.
Spells with St Etienne and Brooklyn FC followed, before she joined Austrian side St Polten and made the switch to Sparta Prague in the summer. Left back Grant, who plays for Galway United in the League of Ireland, qualifies for Northern Ireland through her County Down-born father and strengthens defensive options. With time after the group stages of qualifying, Scotland-based McArdle has spent a lot of time in Northern Ireland watching the Women's Premiership and the trio of McLaughlin, McMaster and Havern have been rewarded for their strong form.
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