Women’s World Cup 2027: Rafferty returns ahead of first NI qualifier

Experienced Rangers defender Laura Rafferty is part of new interim coach Chris Lindsay’s first Northern Ireland squad for the opening 2027 World Cup qualifiers.

Northern Ireland travel to face Switzerland on Tuesday, March 3, before hosting Türkiye at Morneview Park four days later.

Rafferty, 29, missed the UEFA Nations League playoff match against Iceland due to injury and returned to action in December.

Lindsay will take charge of the team for at least the first pair of 2027 Women’s World Cup qualifiers in March as the search for Tanya Oxtoby’s permanent successor continues.

The former Dungannon Swifts manager made five changes to the side that lost to Iceland in the play-off with Rafferty returning in defense alongside Charlton Athletic’s Eli Mason.

Brenna McPartlan is also available and is among the options in midfield after returning to the team during Oxtoby’s spell after a seven-year absence.

Montrose goalkeeper Lauren Perry has also been named along with 17-year-old Abby Smith, who is currently on a scholarship at Manchester City.

“It’s really good to have Laura [Rafferty] Back, Ellie Mason and Brenna [McPartlan] After injury. “These three players have a lot of experience and will bring a lot to the group,” Lindsay said after the announcement.

“I’m really looking forward to working with them and the rest of the players.

“If you look at the squad, there is a good mix of experienced players and a number of young and very talented players.”

Northern Ireland captain Simone Magill will miss the qualifiers after announcing her pregnancy in November.

Glentoran striker Emily Wilson and Hearts midfielder Julie Andrews have also withdrawn from the squad due to injury, while Aberdeen duo Tony-Lee Finnegan and Kerry Beattie are not included.

Goalkeepers Maddy Harvey-Clifford and Katie Smith, who play for the Crusaders and Lisburn Rangers, are also not part of the 23-man panel.