Sparta Prague forward Kess Elmore has been handed a surprise first call-up to the Northern Ireland squad for the 2027 Women’s World Cup play-off against Portugal. The 27-year-old, a former England youth international, is one of five new faces named by manager Michael McArdle.
Elmore’s inclusion is the most eye-catching of the additions. Her father is from Lisburn, and she is a versatile forward who came through the academy at Liverpool before moving to the United States to play college football. Spells with St Etienne and Brooklyn FC followed, then a move to Austrian side St Polten, before she joined Sparta Prague in the summer.
Galway United full back Lucy-Jayne Grant is also included for the first time. The left back plays in the League of Ireland and qualifies for Northern Ireland through her County Down-born father, strengthening McArdle’s defensive options. The other newcomers come from the Irish Premiership: Naomi McLaughlin, Jane McMaster and Charlotte Havern. Havern has had a strong campaign for champions Cliftonville, McMaster has stood out for Linfield, and McLaughlin has impressed for Glentoran after a mid-season switch back to the league from Aberdeen.
McArdle is without a number of experienced players 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, with 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.
Portugal are ranked 28 places higher than Northern Ireland. If McArdle’s side can upset them, 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 reach 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.”
The value of eligibility and squad depth is clear in the selections. McArdle has been dealing with a lengthy injury list, including some experienced names, and has worked over the summer to expand the pool of players available to him. With time after the group stages of qualifying, the Scotland-based manager 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. McArdle acknowledges it is a long road ahead if Northern Ireland are to reach a first World Cup, but these matches are not only about next summer but the years to come.
Northern Ireland squad
Goalkeepers: Jackie Burns (Burnley), Lauren Perry (Montrose), Maddy Harvey-Clifford (Cliftonville).
Defenders: Rebecca Holloway (Birmingham City), Rebecca McKenna (Birmingham City), Ellie Mason (Charlton), Natalie Johnson (Norwich City), Fi Morgan (Celtic), Abi Sweetlove (Linfield), Emily Cassap (Sunderland), Lucy-Jayne Grant (Galway United), Jane McMaster (Linfield).
Midfielders: Aimee Kerr (Glentoran), Mia Moore (Glentoran), Brenna McPartlan (Burnley), Keri Halliday (Hearts), Connie Scofield (Sheffield United), Naomi McLaughlin (Glentoran), Charlotte Havern (Cliftonville).
Forwards: Lauren Wade (Hearts), Casey Howe (Celtic), Leyla McFarland (Rapperswil-Jona, Switzerland), Cora Chambers (Linfield), Kess Elmore (Sparta Prague).