Michael McArdle has promised Northern Ireland will be “brave and positive” when they face Switzerland in a FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifier in Lurgan later today.
The Northern Ireland senior women’s team boss said he is relishing the challenge as stage one of the European qualifiers for FIFA Women’s Cup 2027 in Brazil draws to a close.
Northern Ireland’s final League B Group 2 encounter is being staged at Mourneview Park (6pm kick-off).
In his notes in the matchday programme, McArdle says: “We know this game against Switzerland will be a tough test for us. They are the top seeds in the group and strong favourites to eventually qualify for next year’s finals, but these are exactly the types of games we want to be involved in and learn from.”
He said there were positives to take from the Turkiye match in Istanbul on Friday, which Northern Ireland narrowly lost 2-1.
The senior women’s boss insisted his team will look to build on those positives as they continue to develop.
Switzerland eased past Malta in the other B2 game on Friday to effectively win the group. Even if they lose in Lurgan, and Turkiye defeat Malta away, the Swiss should win the group thanks to a vastly superior goal difference.
Turkiye’s win against Northern Ireland meant they will finish first or second, however all three countries will now face two rounds of play-offs in October and November/December for berths at next year’s World Cup.
In his Manager’s View column, McArdle further points out: “Our focus this evening is on continuing our development and becoming ‘play-off ready’ for the next camp.
“It's important that we are brave and positive in our approach against Switzerland. We want to keep growing as a team and these experiences will help us do that.”
He also notes: “Playing against strong opposition helps us learn, evolve and understand what we'll need to do as we prepare for the play-off stage of the European qualifiers later this year.
“We know the challenge ahead against Switzerland, but we're excited by it and determined to put in a performance that everyone can be proud of.”
McArdle believes Switzerland are among the top teams in Europe even though they are currently a League B team in UEFA Women’s Nations League terms.
Switzerland hosted the UEFA Women’s Euros last summer where they reached the last eight. And they are unbeaten in B2 this year.
At the 2025 Euros they lost 2-1 against Norway in their opening group game but then defeated Iceland 2-0 and drew 1-1 with Finland to reach the quarter-finals. In the last eight they were defeated by eventual finalists Spain (2-0).
Like Northern Ireland the Swiss have a good blend of youth and experience in their ranks.
The backline is where the experienced operators rule the roost.
Switzerland’s defensive unit in Lurgan is likely to feature 30-year-old Aston Villa defender Noelle Maritz (140 caps, two goals) and Strasbourg’s Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic (35), who has 180 caps and 75 goals under her belt.
They should be accompanied by 30-year-old Juventus defender Viola Calligaris (78 caps, nine goals) and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Nadine Riesen (aged 26, 42 caps, two goals) or Freiburg’s Julia Stierli (29), who has 57 caps and one goal.
The youthful element will be found in the forward areas. Young Manchester City striker Iman Beney (aged 19, 23 caps, three goals) and Liverpool forward Aurelie Csillag (aged 23, 15 caps, four goals) could feature in their attack later today.
Their main goal threat is Eintracht Frankfurt’s Geraldine Reuteler, who usually operates as an attacking midfielder. The 27-year-old has scored 15 times for her country in 89 appearances.
Barcelona midfielder Sydney Schertenleib (aged 19, 25 caps, four goals) and West Ham United striker Leila Wandeler (aged 20, 10 caps) are among the up and coming stars for the Swiss.
Tickets are still available for the game at Mourneview Park at irishfa.com/tickets.
The game is being shown live on the BBC iPlayer and on the BBC Sport NI website and app. You can also follow it on @Northern Ireland social channels.
