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Rafferty joined Rangers from Southampton Experienced Rangers defender Laura Rafferty is part of new interim manager Kris Lindsay's first Northern Ireland squad for the opening 2027 World Cup qualifiers. Northern Ireland will travel to face Switzerland on Tuesday, 3 March, before welcoming Turkey to Mourneview Park four days later. Rafferty, 29, missed the Nations League play-off against Iceland through injury and returned to action in December. Lindsay will take charge of the side 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 has made five changes to the squad which lost to Iceland in the play-off with Rafferty returning in defence alongside Charlton Athletic's Ellie Mason. Brenna Mc Partlan is also available and is among the options in midfield after returning to the squad during Oxtoby's tenure following a seven-year absence. Montrose goalkeeper Lauren Perry is also named with 17-year-old Abbie Smith, who is currently on a scholarship at Manchester City. "It is really good to have Laura [Rafferty] back, Ellie Mason and Brenna [Mc Partlan] after injury. Those three players have a lot of experience and will bring a lot to the group, " Lindsay said after the announcement. "I am really looking forward to getting to work with them and the rest of the players. "If you look at the squad there is quite a good mix of those with experience and a number of young and upcoming very talented players. " Northern Ireland captain Simone Magill will miss the qualifiers after announcing she was pregnant in November. Glentoran striker Emily Wilson and Hearts midfielder Joely Andrews also both drop out of the squad through injury, while Aberdeen duo Toni-Leigh Finnegan and Kerry Beattie are not included. Goalkeepers Maddy Harvey-Clifford and Katie Smith, who play for Crusaders and Lisburn Rangers, are also not involved in the 23-player panel. Goalkeepers: Jackie Burns (Bristol City), Lauren Perry (Montrose), Abbie Smith (Manchester City Women). Defenders: Rebecca Holloway (Birmingham City), Rebecca Mc Kenna (Birmingham City), Sarah Mc Fadden (Durham), Abi Sweetlove (Linfield), Natalie Johnson (Nottingham Forest), Ellie Mason (Charlton), Laura Rafferty (Rangers). Midfielders: Nadene Caldwell (Glentoran), Aimee Kerr (Glentoran), Mia Moore (Glentoran), Louise Mc Daniel (Burnley), Brenna Mc Partlan (Burnley), Megan Bell (Linfield), Leyla Mc Farland (Durham). Forwards: Lauren Wade (Hearts), Keri Halliday (Hearts), Caragh Hamilton (Sunderland, on loan from Nottingham Forest), Kascie Weir (Glentoran), Danielle Maxwell (Burnley), Casey Howe (Wolverhampton Wanderers, on loan from Nottingham Forest). Winter Olympics: Watch GB's Kenworthy in halfpipe final & men's curling bronze match Mourinho made 'unacceptable, huge mistake' - Kompany Four men, one aim - to end 102-year wait for Winter Olympic curling gold The 1994 figure skating scandal that shocked the world Graham Norton and Maria Mc Erlane share their 'so-so' advice The heartwarming, chaotic comedy has returned Has FIFA dropped the ball with ticket pricing? Is Donley ready to fill NI's 'problem position'? What is Northern Ireland's record against Italy? 'Now feels like the right time to start family' 'We're not Johnny' - Prendergast forging own path Four men, one aim - to end 102-year wait for Winter Olympic curling gold Managing Man Utd the 'ultimate role' - Carrick What if Ed and Tim watched curling? Video What if Ed and Tim watched curling? How safe is bare-knuckle boxing as it fights for mainstream appeal? Second only to England - why so many Swedes are in WSL 'Bigger does not mean better' - why more matches is not for good of the game Five moments that made England centurion Itoje Sutton's predictions v Embrace bassist Steve Firth GB's Hodgkinson 'obliterates' indoor 800m record set on day she was born. Video GB's Hodgkinson 'obliterates' indoor 800m record set on day she was born How Szoboszlai became Liverpool's key man Is Buttler's form a worry? England's T20 World Cup so far analysed From Stoke to the Arctic Circle - 30 years of BBC's Murray behind mic Olympic trials to £6m deal - Shields' full-circle moment Vinicius: Eight years at Real Madrid, 20 cases of alleged racist abuse GB's Kenworthy in halfpipe final - Friday's guide Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.