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

Northern Ireland have named five first-time senior call-ups in a 23-player squad for their 2027 Women’s World Cup play-off against Portugal, with the first leg scheduled for 9 October at Inver Park and the return on 13 October in Portimão. Manager Michael McArdle has brought in Kess Elmore, Lucy-Jayne Grant, Naomi McLaughlin, Jane McMaster and Charlotte Havern as his side prepares for the two-legged tie.

The selections give McArdle new options across the forward line, at left-back and in midfield. BBC Sport NI reports that Simone Magill is back in training after having her first child, while attackers Danielle Maxwell and Caragh Hamilton are injured. The newcomers’ roles remain prospective: none has yet played a senior international match for Northern Ireland.

How Kess Elmore could add attacking options

Elmore, 27, is an attacking midfielder who can also play across the forward line. She qualifies for Northern Ireland through her father, who is from Lisburn, according to BBC Sport NI. McArdle described her versatility and creativity as strengths for a squad missing established attackers, and pointed to her experience against high-quality opposition.

Her route to this call-up has crossed several leagues. BBC Sport NI reports that Elmore came through Liverpool’s academy, played college football for UConn and Oregon in the United States, and began her professional career with Saint-Étienne in 2023. She subsequently played for Brooklyn FC and St Pölten before moving to the Czech Republic in July. That experience informs McArdle’s assessment, although her contribution to this Northern Ireland side is still to be seen.

Why Lucy-Jayne Grant was selected at left-back

The manager also cited Grant’s performances over the summer and said she would add depth on the left side of defence. Her selection supplies another option for that position, but it does not establish whether she will start either match against Portugal.

Naomi McLaughlin joins the senior international picture

McLaughlin joins the senior international picture after returning to Northern Ireland from Aberdeen during the summer. The attacking midfielder now plays for Glentoran and previously represented Cliftonville and Sion Swifts. Glentoran says she has played for Northern Ireland at youth level and confirms this is her first senior call-up. Her club also says teammates Aimee Kerr and Mia Moore have retained their squad places.

McArdle told BBC Sport NI that McLaughlin’s recent form at Glentoran had given his squad another attacking option. He described her as offering a different profile from some of the players already selected. That is the manager’s assessment ahead of the tie; a senior debut and any match impact remain to be determined.

Jane McMaster and Charlotte Havern earn their chance

McMaster, 22, is a Linfield full-back who can also play in central defence. BBC Sport NI says she has represented Northern Ireland at youth level and in futsal. McArdle cited several consistent seasons and her current form at Linfield when explaining her selection. This call-up gives her an opportunity to earn a first senior cap.

Havern is the youngest member of the squad at 16. The Cliftonville midfielder helped her club win the Premiership and League Cup and reach the Irish Cup final, according to BBC Sport NI. McArdle said her club form had helped her break into the senior squad and that the camp would let him work with her directly. Cliftonville separately confirms that Havern and goalkeeper Maddy Harvey-Clifford are in the panel for the Portugal fixtures; Harvey-Clifford is not among the five players identified as first-time call-ups.

When Northern Ireland play Portugal

Glentoran says Northern Ireland will host Portugal at Inver Park on Friday 9 October, with a 7pm kick-off. The return leg is scheduled for Tuesday 13 October in Portimão at 7.15pm UK time. The club says the winner would move on to a second-round play-off against Croatia or Iceland. For McArdle’s five newcomers, the immediate opportunity is a place in the squad for those two matches; their playing time has yet to be decided.