Northern Ireland Women: Who could face Michael McArdle’s side in World Cup play-offs?

World Ranking: 25th World Cup Qualifiers Group: First in B4 group Last World Cup: 2019

It would be fitting if Northern Ireland were paired with Scotland in their play-off semi-final thanks to boss McArdle’s roots and his previous work in their association.

The 46-year-old Glaswegian, who was appointed as Tanya Oxtoby’s permanent successor in March, is still based in Scotland after taking up her first full-time senior management role with NI.

She has served as head of women’s elite football for the SFA and led the Scotland Under-23 team and senior team for a four-game interim spell last year before Melissa Andretta was appointed.

Under Australian Andretta, the Scots won four of their six games and drew the remaining two to secure promotion to League A to top Group B4.

Scotland were aiming to reach their second World Cup after taking part in the 2019 tournament and scored 24 goals in the group stage as they defeated Israel and Luxembourg twice.

Captain Caroline Ware, who swapped Real Madrid for Lyon, is their clearest threat as she has found the net 10 times in six games, but they have plenty of experienced operators.