Elmore and Grant Hand Northern Ireland Fresh Hope

Nordern Ireland have injected fresh energy into their 2027 Women’s World Cup play-off campaign, with surprise first call-ups for Kess Elmore and Lucy-Jayne Grant among five new faces in Michael McArdle’s squad. The selection comes at a crucial moment, as Northern Ireland prepare to take on Portugal in a two-legged tie that could keep their World Cup dream alive.

Fresh faces brought in for a huge test

Elmore, a Sparta Prague forward with experience across England, France, the United States and Austria, and Galway United left-back Grant are the headline additions as McArdle works through a lengthy injury list. Both players qualify through family links to Northern Ireland and have been rewarded for their form and versatility.

The squad also includes Irish Premiership trio Naomi McLaughlin, Jane McMaster and Charlotte Havern, underlining McArdle’s push to widen the talent pool while several established names miss out through injury.

McArdle said the blend of youth, form and new competition has lifted the group. “I use the word excitement because we’ve got a squad that’s got a good mix,” he said. “It’s highly competitive now to break into the squad, but also highly competitive to stay in the squad.”

Portugal tie arrives at a difficult time

Northern Ireland host Portugal at Inver Park on Friday, 9 October, before travelling to Portimao four days later. The challenge is significant: Portugal are ranked 28 places higher and won both of the teams’ previous Euro 2025 qualifying meetings, 4-0 in Liera and 2-1 at Mourneview Park.

Still, the draw has not blunted belief inside the camp. Northern Ireland know an upset would move them into a second play-off round against Iceland or Croatia, keeping alive a route that has already demanded patience, resilience and depth.

Injury absences force changes

McArdle has had to reshape his plans because of injuries to Kelsie Burrows, Laura Rafferty, Nadene Caldwell, Megan Bell, Joely Andrews, Danielle Maxwell and Caragh Hamilton. Captain Simone Magill has returned to training after giving birth to her daughter Skye in the summer, but the timing means the tie has come too soon for her involvement.

That context makes the new call-ups even more important. Elmore brings pace and flexibility in attack, while Grant strengthens the defensive options at left-back. In midfield and defence, form players from the Women’s Premiership and the League of Ireland have also been rewarded, reflecting a broader squad-building strategy.

Who are the new names?

Elmore came through Liverpool’s academy before moving to the United States for college football and later taking in spells at St Etienne, Brooklyn FC and St Pölten. Her move to Sparta Prague in the summer marked another step in a varied career that has helped shape her into a versatile forward.

Grant, meanwhile, has impressed at Galway United and qualifies through her County Down-born father. Her inclusion adds balance on the left side and gives Northern Ireland another option for a tie where defensive organisation will matter.

McArdle has spent the summer watching the domestic scene closely, and that work has paid off with call-ups for McLaughlin, McMaster and Havern. Havern has enjoyed a strong campaign for champions Cliftonville, McMaster has stood out for Linfield, and McLaughlin has impressed after returning to the league from Aberdeen.

Big picture: a longer journey

Northern Ireland’s path to a first Women’s World Cup remains long. Even if they overcome Portugal and progress again, the rankings system means they would likely face an extra inter-continental play-off in February as the lowest-ranked European side still standing.

Yet this stage is about more than the next 180 minutes. It is about building a squad that can compete now and grow over time. As McArdle knows, eligibility, competition for places and momentum could all prove decisive in the years ahead.

For Northern Ireland, the mission is clear: stay alive, stay competitive and make Portugal feel every minute of the challenge.

With new faces, a difficult opponent and qualification pressure rising, Northern Ireland’s squad selection feels like the start of something bigger. The next chapter now depends on whether the fresh energy can translate into a famous result.