'Exciting variety of opponents': Northern Ireland’s group for Women’s World Cup qualifiers revealed
Northern Ireland women’s manager Tanya Oxtoby says she is “excited” by their opponents in stage one of the European qualifiers for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 in Brazil.
The Green and White Army will face Switzerland, Turkiye and Malta in the qualifiers, which are scheduled to run from February to December next year.
The qualifiers decide the UEFA nations earning places at the 2027 World Cup – as well as promotion and relegation ahead of the next edition of the UEFA Women's Nations League.
The European Qualifiers league stage is played in the same format as the UEFA Women's Nations League, with teams split into three leagues: League A with 16 teams, League B with 16 teams and League C with 21 teams.
Northern Ireland were drawn from League B Pot 2, while Switzerland were drawn from Pot 1. The Swiss – who hosted the Euros in the summer – were beaten by Spain in the tournament at the quarter-final stage.
Oxtoby’s side, who remained in League B after being defeated by Iceland in a promotion play-off last month, are the second seeds in League B Group 2, while Switzerland are the top seeds. Turkiye are third seeds and Malta the fourth seeds.
“I am really happy with the draw,” Oxtoby said. “It’s a really exciting variety of opponents for us.
“It will be great to challenge ourselves against a really exciting young Swiss team that I had the pleasure of watching at the Euros (in Switzerland back in the summer). It will be a great challenge for us to pit ourselves against them.
“Obviously Malta are a team we've played before, and we know what to expect. With Turkey it’s a little bit of the unknown, but again it’s going to be a great challenge.”
She added that the “great mix of different opponents” would be beneficial in helping the Northern Ireland team continue their growth journey together.
The winners of each League A group will gain automatic places in Brazil, while the remaining seven direct spots in Brazil, and a further berth in inter-confederation play-offs in February 2027, will be decided by two rounds of play-offs in October and November/December next year.