Northern Ireland’s Women’s Under-19 team will be in Italy next week to compete in the first stage of qualifiers for UEFA WU19 Euro 2026.
Gail Redmond’s side were promoted to League A for stage one after wins over Albania, Azerbaijan and Montenegro in League B back in the spring.
In the first round of the qualifiers for WU19 Euro 2026 they will be up against Italy, Switzerland and Belarus in Group A6.
First up is a game against hosts Italy next Wednesday (26 November) at Stadio Ettore Mannucci in Pontedera in central Italy (2pm GMT kick-off).
Then they will back at the same venue in Tuscany on Saturday 29 November to face Switzerland (10.30am GMT start).
Their final A6 game is against Belarus on Tuesday 2 December at Davide Astori Viola Park in Florence (2pm GMT), the main city in the Tuscany region.
Round 1 of the WU19 Euro 2026 qualifiers is split into two leagues, with promotion and relegation at stake ahead of Round 2 next spring. League A consists of 28 teams, including the seven promoted from League B after Round 2 of the 2024/25 edition, including Northern Ireland.
The teams finishing fourth in each League A group will be relegated to League B for Round 2, which is drawn on 11 December and played next spring. League A in stage two will provide seven teams to join Bosnia and Herzegovina in the finals. The final tournament is drawn on 22 April and played from 27 June to 10 July.
Redmond has chosen a 20-strong squad for the three upcoming qualifiers.
It includes midfielder Mia Moore (pictured), who made her senior debut against Iceland last month, along with goalkeepers Abbie Smith and Kate Smith, who have both had senior call-ups this year.
The WU19s head coach said: “We are thrilled to return to League A and we are ready to embrace the challenge ahead. Our journey since February has been transformative, and the players are eager to showcase their talent on the international stage.
“Having experienced players like Abbie Smith, Kate Smith and Mia Moore back with us will be invaluable. Their leadership and experience with the senior team will inspire our young squad as we face formidable opponents in Italy, Switzerland and Belarus. This is a fantastic opportunity for our players to grow and develop.”
Their final warm-up game before heading to Italy was a training match against their Republic of Ireland counterparts, who will also be playing in League A this month.
Although Northern Ireland lost the game they created lots of chances. Anastasia Stanyte grabbed a goal, while Rhianna Breen forced a few saves out of the Republic keeper and both Mia Moore and Darcie McNeill went close with well-struck curlers. Niamh Boothroyd also tested the keeper.
The WU19s panel for the qualifiers is as follows:
Goalkeepers – Abbie Smith, Kate Smith.
Defenders – Zara Boyd, Daisy Conway, Laura Dowey, Ellen Hampton, Lillie Horner, Tara Kerr.
Midfielders – Mia Moore, Clodagh Maguire, Niamh Boothroyd, Zoe Knox, Darcie McNeill, Anastasia Stanyte.
Forwards – Lucy Kelly, Jessica McGuinness, Mia Reilly, Rhianna Breen, Eva Myles, Gracie Conway.
