European Football · Sunday, October 11, 2026
Northern Ireland face the impossible against Portugal
After a 4-0 defeat in the first leg playoff match, the Northern Ireland women see their 2026 World Cup dreams fade away.
By Editorial team
Northern Ireland face Portugal in the qualifying playoff for the 2026 women's World Cup. The Northern Ireland team suffered a heavy 4-0 home defeat in their first meeting. Michael McArdle, the national team manager, acknowledges that the chances of overcoming this handicap have become insurmountable. The return match is now merely a formality for the Portuguese heading into the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.