Northern Ireland open World Cup play-off against Portugal at Inver Park
Northern Ireland begin their World Cup play-off campaign with the first leg of a two-legged tie against Portugal at Inver Park on Friday (19:30 BST). The tie is the opening step on their route to next year's World Cup in Brazil.
A tournament in Brazil has been presented as a long-held aspiration for the squad and the opportunity to reach it comes with both optimism and obstacles for Michael McArdle's side. The team has been hit by a spate of injuries and includes five new faces, yet there is a quiet confidence within the group ahead of matches some players regard as the biggest of their careers to date. Northern Ireland will host Portugal in the opening leg as they attempt to navigate what has been described as an arduous qualifying path.
Norwich City defender Natalie Johnson, who has won 13 caps for Northern Ireland, spoke of the significance of the occasion. "When you're growing up, Brazil is the place to be, it's the home of football. It really doesn't get much better than that," she said. "The fact that we are at this point and that it could be a reality, you don't need much more motivation than that.
"There's a lot on the line, but we are taking it one game at a time and I think if you look at it that way, nothing is impossible. Obviously there is that dream at the end of it, but we're focused on the game in front of us."
As one of the lowest-ranked European sides in the play-offs, Northern Ireland face a challenging route to next summer's tournament: if they overcome Portugal they will then face Croatia or Iceland in the next round and, if successful, will likely have an inter-continental play-off to reach Brazil. Portugal inflicted two defeats on Northern Ireland in Euro 2025 qualifying and sit 28 places higher in the Fifa world rankings. "We absolutely believe these games are winnable," Johnson added. "Any Portugal side is going to be very technical and we're expecting a very fast-paced game. We're going to have to be at our best to face that, quick football, and that's what we're working towards.
"On paper it might look like there is a big gap between the teams, but at the end of the day, it is a game of football and I think particularly on our home pitch it will be a much more level playing field."
Birmingham City defender Rebecca Holloway is one of nine players in the current squad to have been involved in Northern Ireland's two Euro 2025 qualifying defeats and is among the few survivors from the squad that qualified for Euro 2022, Northern Ireland's first major tournament. "It feels like a long time ago in a way, especially when you look at how much the squad has changed, but I think that's also what is very exciting," she said. "It's like a new generation coming through and I think it's also important that we have some experienced players here to help those new faces. We're excited to see what they can do and encourage them to play with confidence and freedom and do what they are good at.
"We're slowly closing the gap on Portugal and the so-called bigger nations. They had a narrow 2-1 win over us at home in 2024 after a 4-0 away defeat, I think that shows that we are getting closer."
McArdle's youthful side sought inspiration from Northern Ireland's men's team after assembling in camp on Monday, watching the men's 0-0 draw with Georgia. That stalemate ensured Michael O'Neill's side stayed top of their Nations League group after picking up eight points from four games without conceding a goal. The coaching staff and players said the display offered an example of the energy and attitude the younger generation can adopt.
Northern Ireland's immediate focus is the Inver Park fixture on Friday at 19:30 BST, the first leg of the two-legged play-off against Portugal; should they progress, they will face either Croatia or Iceland in the next round and, if victorious there, would likely contend in an inter-continental play-off to secure a place in Brazil.
