Northern Ireland senior women’s team boss Tanya Oxtoby says her players are feeling good ahead of the upcoming UEFA Women’s Nations League play-off against Iceland.
The girls in green and white are set to battle it out with Iceland over two legs for a place in League A in the next edition of the competition.
The first game is being staged at Ballymena Showgrounds on Friday (24 October), with the return leg at Laugardalsvöllur Stadium in Reykjavik next Tuesday (28 October).
Providing a squad update earlier today, Oxtoby said: “Everyone has arrived fit and, more importantly, in good spirits for the week ahead.
“We know and have prepared for the challenges Iceland pose. But this is a young squad full of energy and I’m really looking forward to getting out on the grass with them over the next few days to ensure we are as well equipped as we can be.
“We can’t wait to be playing in front of our home fans as well.”
Northern Ireland, who are ranked 44th in the world compared to Iceland in 17th, were last in action back in June in UEFA Women’s Nations League Group B1.
They drew 1-1 with nearest rivals Bosnia and Herzegovina to finish second in B1 to secure the promotion play-off against Iceland, who played at UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 back in the summer.
Tickets for the first leg in Ballymena are still available at irishfa.com/tickets.
The 24-strong squad for the two play-off games is as follows:
Goalkeepers - Jackie Burns (Calgary Wild), Maddy Harvey-Clifford (Crusaders Strikers), Kate Smith (Lisburn Rangers Ladies).
Defenders - Rebecca Holloway and Rebecca McKenna (both Birmingham City Women), Sarah McFadden (Durham Women), Abi Sweetlove (Linfield Women), Toni-Leigh Finnegan (Aberdeen Women), Natalie Johnson (Nottingham Forest Women).
Midfielders - Nadene Caldwell, Aimee Kerr and Mia Moore (all Glentoran Women), Louise McDaniel (Burnley Women), Joely Andrews (Hearts Women), Megan Bell (Linfield Women), Caragh Hamilton (Nottingham Forest Women).
Forwards - Lauren Wade and Keri Halliday (both Hearts Women), Emily Wilson and Kascie Weir (both Glentoran Women), Danielle Maxwell (Burnley Women), Casey Howe (Nottingham Forest Women), Kerry Beattie (Aberdeen Women, on loan from Hearts Women) Leyla McFarland (Durham Women).
