As Michael McArdle sits down for an interview with BBC Sport at Windsor Park, he cuts a relaxed figure.

The Scot had just announced his squad for the World Cup play-off with Portugal, for what will be the biggest game of his managerial career to date.

McArdle has only been in the Northern Ireland hot seat since March, when he was announced as Tanya Oxtoby's permanent successor, but has more than 25 years of experience working in football.

There's a clear passion for what he is doing, as he balances the reality of playing one of Europe's top-ranked sides with the dreams of reaching a first World Cup just months into his new role.

But there is one word that keeps cropping up across various topics - family.

McArdle, 48, was born and bred in Moodiesburn to the east of Glasgow, and still lives there to this day.

He met his wife, Tammy, in the village when they were both on the same paper round at the age of 12, and they have now been married for 28 years.

He has three children, Connor, Mya and Cole, and is about to become a grandad for the first time. It's clear how much his family means to him.

But when he talks about family, it's not just in terms of his own life. It is an embodiment of what he is trying to achieve with Northern Ireland.

"Family's crucial to me. We're all a family when we represent the country," he said.

"That's a family of players and a family of staff, but also as an ecosystem and domestic game.

"We're all the one family when we're together and that's a message that will always be strong while I'm at the helm."

Read more here.

Image source, Press Eye

Birmingham City defender Rebecca Holloway is one of the few survivors from the squad that qualified for Euro 2022, NI's first major tournament.

There have been a lot of changes to the squad since, but Holloway is excited for the future rather than dwelling on past achievements.

McArdle's youthful side do not have far to look for inspiration as to how to punch above their weight.

After assembling in camp on Monday, the team watched Northern Ireland's men's side 0-0 draw with Georgia.

That stalemate ensured Michael O'Neill's side stayed top of their Nations League group after picking up eight points from four games without conceding a goal.

"It was brilliant watching them play with such youth and energy and the exciting football that they are playing.

"This younger generation play with no fear and I think that is what the men's senior team are doing.

"I am hoping the young players see that and we can adopt the same attitude. I think we were all watching thinking we can't wait to do this on Friday."

Image source, Getty Images

Attacking midfielder McLaughlin, 20, broke through at Sion Swifts before she moved to Cliftonville in 2024.

Her performances at Solitude earned her a move to Aberdeen in January but she returned to Northern Ireland with Glentoran in July, where she has impressed.

"Naomi has had a real purple patch since returning to Glentoran," McArdle said.

"It is exciting for her. She gives us another attacking option and a bit of versatility because she's slightly different to some of the players that are in the squad."

Full-back McMaster, 22, has been a stalwart at Linfield and has been a key player in the club's push into title contention this season.

McMaster, who can also play in the centre of defence, has represented Northern Ireland before both at underage level and with the futsal team, but this is her opportunity to win a first senior cap.

"Jane has had a few consistent seasons and come through the international pathway," said McArdle.

"She is having a fantastic season with Linfield and deserves her call-up, which is exciting."

At 16, Havern is the youngest players in McArdle's squad and has earned a call-up after helping Cliftonville to a Premiership and League Cup double, and the Reds are also in the Irish Cup final.

Another underage international, it will be a chance for McArdle to work with the all-action midfielder first hand in the senior squad.

"Charlotte's impressive form with Cliftonville and has been a key part of their performances this season.

"They have helped Charlotte break through into the national team to get this experience."

Image source, Getty Images

Sparta Prague attacker Kess Elmore qualifies for Northern Ireland through her father, who is from Lisburn.

Elmore came through Liverpool's academy and made the move to the USA in 2017 to play college football for the UConn Huskies and Oregon Ducks.

Her professional career started with Saint Etienne in France in 2023 and moved to Brooklyn FC for the inaugural USL Super League the following year.

Elmore has Champions League experience with Austrian champions St Polten against the likes of Chelsea and Lyon, and she moved to the Czech Republic in July.

Predominantly an attacking midfielder, Elmore can play right across the forward line and McArdle says "that versatility brings a strength" to the squad.

"The biggest thing for Kess is the attacking prowess she's got as a creative player and an attacking player," said the Scot.

"She's coming in with good experience of playing against high-quality opposition, and Portugal's squad is full of players that are at elite European clubs.

"Not speaking on behalf of Kess, but when you get that first call up at the age of 27, it is quite a special moment.

"It's been quite a special few weeks working with Kess in the background, so I'm looking forward to her joining camp and bringing those qualities to the group."

Image source, Getty Images

As well as Elmore, another player who has earned their first call-up is Cavan-born left-back Lucy-Jayne Grant, who qualifies for Northern Ireland through her father.

The 22-year-old plays for Galway United in the League of Ireland, and she helped the club win the cross-border All-Island Cup in 2024.

McArdle said he had identified Grant for a possible call-up early into this time at the job, and she had earned her chance after he and his staff done their "due diligence".

"Over the summer she's performed well and she has spent time in the environment as a training player, so we have got to know her.

"She has broken through now on the left side of defence, so she'll add to the depth within there with the squad."

As well as her on-pitch ability, Galway's website says that Grant can juggle and is a qualified piano and violin teacher, so should be able to entertain the camp throughout the window.

Jana McCabe
BBC Sport NI at Inver Park

It is a big night for Jane McMaster who makes her senior debut this evening and what a night to do it!

McMaster has proven her strength and resilience at the heart of Linfield's defence in the Women's Premiership so Northern Ireland fans will be hoping she can display the same on the international stage.

However, it will be a tough night for NI's defence as they aim to keep the Portugal attack quiet.

They also have good depth on the bench with Carolina Santiago netting in four of her past six internationals.

Northern Ireland

The team news is in for Inver Park and there's a debut for Jane McMaster, while there's a first start for Emily Cassap.

It's a defender-heavy team from Michael McArdle, with Nat Johnson set to line out in midfield.

Lauren Wade has been given the task of playing the lone role up front.

Northern Ireland: Burns, McKenna, McMaster, Morgan, Holloway, Mason, Johnson, Kerr, McPartlan, Cassap Wade.

Subs: Harvey-Clifford, Perry, Sweetlove, Moore, Howe, Halliday, Elmore, McFarland, Schofield, Grant, Chambers, Havern.

Portugal: Ines Pereira, Marchao, Correla, Gomes, Amado, F Pinto, T Pinto, Jacinto, Faria, Encanacao, Silva.

Subs: Morais, Pina, Alves, Rodrigues, Ribeiro, Norton, Santiago, Silva, Costa, Marques, Bravo, Ferreira.

BBC iPlayer

You can watch the game on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport app and website.

Former Northern Ireland captain Marissa Callaghan joins Nicola McCarthy in studio, while Ashley Hutton is on co-commentary alongside Thomas Kane.

Kick-off in Larne is at 19:00 BST.

Even if Northern Ireland can upset Portugal and then manage to beat either Croatia or, more likely, Iceland, then that still may not be enough to reach the World Cup.

Michael McArdle's side might have to play an additional inter-confederation play-off in February.

Here's why.

Image source, Inpho

Portugal inflicted two defeats on in NI in Euro 2025 qualifying and sit 28 places higher in the Fifa world rankings, but Johnson and her side are not daunted by the task in front of them and instead want to embrace it.

"We absolutely believe these games are winnable," she added.

"We have a lot of experience in this team and the young players coming in bring their own individual experience and they really add to the squad. It's a good balance and we are going in to get something out of this.

"Any Portugal side is going to be very technical and we're expecting a very fast-paced game. We're going to have to be at our best to face that, quick football, and that's what we're working towards.

"On paper it might look like there is a big gap between the teams, but at the end of the day, it is a game of football and I think particularly on our home pitch it will be a much more level playing field."

It feels like an eternity since the group stages of qualifying for the 2027 Women's World Cup ended in June, but now the play-offs finally roll into town.

Northern Ireland are against the odds as Portugal visit Inver Park in the first leg, before the return fixture in Portimao on Tuesday.

You can watch the game on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport app and website, and we'll also have updates and clips right here.

The winner will face either Iceland or Crotaia in the second play-off round, and we'll keep you updated with how that one is going, too.