The Northern Ireland women's national football team represents Northern Ireland in international women's football. Although most national football teams represent a sovereign state, FIFA statutes permit Northern Ireland as a member of the United Kingdom's Home Nations to maintain its own national side that competes in all major tournaments, with the exception of the Women's Olympic Football Tournament.
The team were the lowest UEFA-ranked team (27th) to qualify for the European Championships Finals in England in 2022. They are set to participate in the World Cup for the first time in 2035 as they automatically qualified as co-host along with other three countries in the United Kingdom.
In September 2021 it was announced that the senior women's team would be adopting a full-time professional set up ahead of Euro 2022.
Results and fixtures
The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
Legend
2025
2026
Coaching staff Manager history Alfie Wylie (2004–2019) Kenny Shiels (2019–2023) Tanya Oxtoby (2023–2025) Michael McArdle (2026–)
Players
Current squad
The following players were called up for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup play-off matches against Portugal on 9 and 13 October 2026, respectively.
Caps and goals correct as of 9 June 2026, after the match against Switzerland. Northern Ireland Squad
Recent call-ups
The following players have also been called up to the squad within the past 12 months.
Notes
= Withdrew due to injury
= Preliminary squad / standby = Retired from the national team
Records
Players in bold are still active with the national team.
Most Appearances RankPlayerCareerCapsGoals1Julie Nelson2004–present13092Ashley Hutton2005–202211593Sarah McFadden2005–present10994Rachel Furness2005–20239538Simone Magill2010–present9528Demi Vance2009–present9547Nadene Caldwell2009–present9318Marissa Callaghan2010–present8699Lauren Wade2015–present831410Jackie Burns2013–present690
Top goalscorers RankPlayerCareerGoalsCapsAvg.1Rachel Furness2005–202338952Simone Magill 2010–present28953Kirsty McGuinness2010–20231457Lauren Wade2015–present14835Marissa Callaghan 2010–present986Sarah McFadden2005–present9109Ashley Hutton2005–20229115Julie Nelson2004–present91309Caragh Hamilton2012–present75610Danielle Maxwell2020–present427Megan Bell20017–present445Demi Vance2009–present495
Simone Magill holds the world record for the fastest international goal in women's football. Previously, US forward Alex Morgan had held the record at twelve seconds. Magill achieved an eleven-second goal against Georgia at the start of a European Qualifying match on 3 June 2016. The goal marks the fastest ever international goal by any national Northern Irish team – male or female.
Competitive record FIFA Women's World Cup FIFA Women's World Cup recordQualification recordYearResultGPWD*LGFGAGDGPWD*LGFGAGD 1991Did not qualifyUEFA EURO 1991 1995Did not enterUEFA EURO 1995 1999Did not enter 2003 2007Did not qualify6213711−4 201110325816−8 201510127319−16 20198107427−23 2023106133616+20 2027To be determinedTo be determined 2031To be determinedTo be determined 2035QualifiedQualified as co-hostTotal1/12-------441311235889−31 *Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
UEFA Women's Championship
UEFA Women's Championship record Qualifying recordYearResultGPWD*LGFGAGPWD*LGFGA 1984Did not qualify6006521 – 19876006235 1989Did not enterDid not enter 1991Did not qualify4004121 – 1993Did not enterDid not enter 1995 1997 2001 2005 2009Did not qualify112181128 – 2013103251215 201782151022 2022Group stage3003111106222118 2025Did not qualify10424101523rd 2029To be determinedTotal1/143003111651784072175 23rd *Draws include knockout matches decided by penalty kicks.
UEFA Women's Nations League UEFA Women's Nations League recordSeasonLeagueGroup2023–24B13rd83231214*26th2025B12nd8224615*24thTotal 16 5 4 7 18 29 26th and 24th
Promoted at end of season No movement at end of season Relegated at end of season * Participated in promotion/relegation play-offs
See also Northern Ireland women's national under-19 football team Northern Ireland women's national under-17 football team Northern Ireland national football team, the men's team Republic of Ireland women's national football team
Notes
References
External links Official website FIFA profile