Overview of Northern Ireland's Play-Off Position
Northern Ireland will enter the 2027 Women's World Cup play-off semi-finals as an unseeded team and could face opponents such as Portugal, Switzerland, Scotland, or Wales.
Michael McArdle's team secured their play-off spot by finishing third in Group B2, achieving two wins in six matches—both victories coming against Malta. This performance ensured their retention in League B.
The challenge ahead is significant as Northern Ireland will be unseeded for both the two-legged semi-final and the two-legged final of the play-offs. Even if they advance through these four matches, the lowest-ranked of the eight European play-off winners will enter the inter-confederation play-offs early next year. Given their ranking, Northern Ireland is likely to be that team.
Historically, Northern Ireland has embraced the underdog role, notably overcoming odds in the play-offs to qualify for Euro 2022. McArdle’s youthful squad will aspire to replicate that achievement.
NI examines the potential semi-final opponents ahead of the draw scheduled for Thursday.
Slovenia
World ranking: 38th
World Cup qualifying group: Fourth in Group A4
Last World Cup: Never qualified
Slovenia, like Northern Ireland, has never qualified for a World Cup. Although they are the lowest-ranked potential opponent, they present a challenging play-off adversary.
Under coach Sasa Kolman, Slovenia won one of their six Group A4 matches, finishing fourth and suffering relegation to League B. Their group included strong teams such as Austria, Norway, and Germany. Notably, Slovenia began their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Austria.
In February 2025, Slovenia defeated a subdued Republic of Ireland 4-0 in a Nations League fixture, illustrating their capacity to capitalize on opponents’ weaknesses.
Poland
World ranking: 29th
World Cup qualifying group: Fourth in Group A2
Last World Cup: Never qualified
Northern Ireland is familiar with Poland, having faced them in last year's Nations League. Under then-manager Tanya Oxtoby, Northern Ireland lost 2-0 in Gdansk and 4-0 at Seaview, with Poland demonstrating clinical finishing, especially in the latter match.
Poland boasts one of the world’s top strikers, Barcelona’s Ewa Pajor, who has scored 71 goals in 110 appearances for her country.
Coach Nina Patalon's team endured a difficult qualification campaign, finishing bottom of Group A2 without a win in six matches. They earned a point against the Netherlands but lost twice to the Republic of Ireland, resulting in relegation to League B.
Poland is known for high-scoring games but also concedes frequently, a factor that may offer some encouragement to Northern Ireland.
Serbia
World ranking: 35th
World Cup qualifying group: Fourth in Group A1
Last World Cup: Never qualified
Serbia, like Poland, collected only one point from six Group A1 matches, finishing fourth and facing relegation to League B. Under Lidija Stojkanovic, Serbia drew with Sweden but suffered heavy defeats against Denmark and Italy.
The team aims to qualify for their first major tournament. Although they may not yet be competitive at League A level, they will provide a stern test for Northern Ireland’s young squad, which remains in League B.
Given the strength of other potential opponents, Serbia might represent a comparatively favorable play-off challenge for Northern Ireland.
Ukraine
World ranking: 34th
World Cup qualifying group: Fourth in Group A3
Last World Cup: Never qualified
Ukraine endured a difficult Group A3 campaign, losing all six matches, scoring only twice, and conceding 17 goals. They finished fourth and were relegated to League B.
Their group included formidable teams such as World Cup holders Spain, back-to-back European champions England, and Iceland.
If Northern Ireland faces Ukraine, it would present an opportunity for Ukraine to seek revenge for the Euro 2022 play-off, where Kenny Shiels' Northern Ireland side secured a 4-1 aggregate victory to reach their first major tournament.
Switzerland
World ranking: 26th
World Cup qualifying group: First in Group B2
Last World Cup: 2023
Should Northern Ireland draw Switzerland, it would be a familiar matchup, as both teams were in the same qualifying group. Switzerland won both encounters: 2-0 in the opening group game and 2-1 at Mourneview Park.
Coach Rafel Navarro's team won five of six matches to top the group and secure promotion back to League A. They fielded a second-string side against Northern Ireland in Lurgan but still secured victory, showcasing their depth.
Switzerland features experienced players and emerging talents such as Barcelona’s Sydney Schertenleib. They qualified for the World Cup in 2015 and 2023, exiting at the round of 16 on both occasions, and will be aiming for a third consecutive appearance in Brazil.
Portugal
World ranking: 22nd
World Cup qualifying group: First in Group B3
Last World Cup: 2023
Portugal is the highest-ranked potential opponent for Northern Ireland and has recent competitive history against them from Euro 2025 qualifying. Portugal won 4-0 in Leiria and narrowly defeated Northern Ireland 2-1 at Mourneview Park in 2024.
Francisco Neto’s side topped Group B3, returning to League A after winning five of six matches and scoring 17 goals. The squad includes experienced players and the fit-again Barcelona forward Kika Nazareth, who scored six goals during qualifying.
Portugal regularly qualifies for major tournaments, making them a formidable opponent Northern Ireland would prefer to avoid.
Scotland
World ranking: 25th
World Cup qualifying group: First in Group B4
Last World Cup: 2019
A matchup with Scotland would carry significance given Michael McArdle’s Scottish roots and previous involvement with the Scottish Football Association.
McArdle, a 46-year-old Glaswegian, was appointed Northern Ireland’s permanent head coach in March. He remains based in Scotland and previously served as head of women’s elite football for the SFA, led the Scotland Under-23s, and acted as interim senior team manager for four games last year before Melissa Andreatta’s appointment.
Under Andreatta, Scotland topped Group B4, winning four matches and drawing two to earn promotion to League A. They aim to qualify for their second World Cup after participating in 2019.
Scotland scored 24 goals in the group phase, including dominant wins over Israel and Luxembourg. Captain Caroline Weir, who transferred from Real Madrid to Lyon, was particularly prolific, netting 10 goals in six games. The squad also includes several experienced players.
Wales
World ranking: 31st
World Cup qualifying group: First in Group B1
Last World Cup: Never qualified
Wales aims to build on their historic qualification for Euro 2025 by attempting to reach their first World Cup. Like Northern Ireland, their young and promising squad may find the tournament timeline ambitious.
They topped Group B1, remaining unbeaten and winning four of six matches, which secured promotion to League A. The team competed without influential Jess Fishlock, who retired in October, but Hannah Cain stepped up, scoring six goals.
There is excitement around 19-year-old Mared Griffiths, who has quickly established herself with three goals in the group stage, totaling four goals in 10 appearances for Wales.
A play-off between Northern Ireland and Wales would be an intriguing contest between two emerging teams.
