# Northern Ireland Call-Up for World Cup Play-Off

> Kess Elmore joins Northern Ireland's World Cup play-off squad.
- Title: Northern Ireland Call-Up for World Cup Play-Off · BBC Sport
- Summary: Kess Elmore joins Northern Ireland's World Cup play-off squad. Northern Ireland's 2027 Women's World Cup play-off team includes Kess Elmore and four new…
- Keywords: kess elmore, northern ireland, world cup play-off, portugal, michael mcardle, sparta prague, galway united, women's world cup, 2027 women's world cup, inver park, portimao, northern ireland women's football team
- Source: BBC Sport — https://bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cj3v4gy5ek7qo
- Published: 2026-09-30T08:54:26.329+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: kess elmore, northern ireland, world cup play-off, portugal, michael mcardle, sparta prague, galway united, women's world cup, 2027 women's world cup, inver park, portimao, northern ireland women's football team
## Kess Elmore
Sparta Prague forward Kess Elmore, 27, is a surprise first call-up for Northern Ireland's 2027 Women's World Cup play-off with Portugal.
## New Call-Ups
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.
## Recent Form
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.
## Injuries
Kelsie Burrows, Laura Rafferty, Nadene Caldwell, Megan Bell, Joely Andrews, Danielle Maxwell and Caragh Hamilton are absent through injury.
## Captain's Return
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.
## Match Dates
Northern Ireland host Portugal at Inver Park on Friday, 9 October before the return leg in Portimao four days later.
## Key takeaway

Northern Ireland's 2027 Women's World Cup play-off team includes Kess Elmore and four new players to face Portugal in October.