'Nothing impossible' for NI on long road to Brazil

A World Cup staged in Brazil is the stuff of dreams for any footballer, and the chance to experience that is on offer for Northern Ireland as they begin their play-off journey against Portugal with hope of securing a spot at next year's tournament.

It is a difficult ask for Michael McArdle's players, who have been hit by a spate of injuries and include five new faces, but there is a quiet confidence before what will be, for some of them, the biggest games in their careers to date.

First up, in what is set to be an arduous journey in search of a World Cup debut, is Friday's home leg at Inver Park (19:30 BST) against the Portuguese.

"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," said Norwich City defender Natalie Johnson.

"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, it is a difficult route to next summer's tournament for Northern Ireland.

If they overcome Portugal they will then face Croatia or Iceland in the next round. If they make it through those games, they will probably have an inter-continental play-off to make it the whole way to Brazil.

Portugal inflicted two defeats on NI in Euro 2025 qualifying and sit 28 places higher in the Fifa world rankings, but Johnson and her side are not daunted by the task in front of them and instead want to embrace it.

"We absolutely believe these games are winnable," she said.

"We have a lot of experience in this team and the young players coming in bring their own individual experience and they really add to the squad. It's a good balance and we are going in to get something out of this.

"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 the few survivors from the squad that qualified for Euro 2022, NI's first major tournament.

There have been a lot of changes to the squad since, but Holloway is excited for the future rather than dwelling on past achievements.

"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 do not have far to look for inspiration as to how to punch above their weight.

After assembling in camp on Monday, the team watched Northern Ireland's men's side draw 0-0 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.

"It was brilliant watching them play with such youth and energy and the exciting football that they are playing," continued Holloway.

"This younger generation play with no fear and I think that is what the men's senior team are doing.

"I am hoping the young players see that and we can adopt the same attitude. I think we were all watching thinking 'we can't wait to do this on Friday'."