Northern Ireland Women's Football Team

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Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill has been appointed to the Fifa Technical Study Group [TSG] for this summer's World Cup.

O'Neill is named as part of a 10-strong group that also includes Otto Addo, Tobin Heath, Jurgen Klinsmann, Jayne Ludlow, Gilberto Silva, Jon Dahl Tomasson, Paulo Wanchope, Aron Winter and Pablo Zabaleta.

The team of experts will be guided by former Arsenal manager and current Fifa Chief of Global Football Development Arsene Wenger to provide deeper insights into each of the 104 games at this summer's tournament in North America through the Fifa Training Centre social media accounts and YouTube channel.

"The Technical Study Group helps identify trends in the game, prepare future generations for football's development and contribute to making the sport more exciting by highlighting the qualities players will need in the future," said Wenger.

"With an unprecedented level of high-quality data, the TSG will be able to describe, analyse and interpret what is happening on the pitch in a way that inspires both technical experts and football fans.

"We are not only collecting more data than before but also trying to strike the right balance between technical expertise and data. At the same time, we want to share our technical observations in real time during the tournament."

The TSG will study each game from a unique tactical position, either at the respective stadium or from a performance suite in Miami, with access to six video angles and thousands of data points live during each match.

TSG members will also select the tournament awards.

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Northern Ireland legends Marissa Callaghan and Gareth McAuley will be inducted into the Northern Ireland Football Writers' Association Hall of Fame.

Callaghan and McAuley will join a host of established names in the Hall of Fame such as George Best, Harry Gregg, David Healy and Steven Davis.

Former Northern Ireland midfielder Callaghan captained Northern Ireland at the Euro 2022 finals - a first major tournament for the women's side.

The midfielder retired from football this year after a career that saw her earn 91 international and win two Women's Premiership titles with Cliftonville, in 2022 and an invincible year in 2024.

"It's an honour to join the NIFWA Hall of Fame alongside so many famous names from the world of football," said Callaghan, who will be the first women's player to receive the honour at Sunday's annual awards.

"The award is not just a reflection of my efforts, but the support and help of all my team-mates and coaches over the years."

The former Cliftonville midfielder is joined in the Hall of Fame by McAuley, who won 80 caps for Northern Ireland between 2005 and 2018.

McAuley scored one of the most famous goals in the history of Northern Ireland football in the historic Euro 2016 win over Ukraine in Lyon.

At club level, McAuley made his name in the Irish League with Crusaders and Coleraine before turning out for Lincoln City, Leicester City, Ipswich Town, West Bromwich Albion and Rangers.

"It's very pleasing and an honour to be inducted into the Football Writers' Hall of Fame," McAuley said.

"The Euros was ten years ago, and I've been retired nearly seven years, so to be remembered and recognised in this way is really humbling."

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Northern Ireland defender Ellie Mason said the side know the task which lies ahead of them in Tuesday's 2027 World Cup qualifier against Malta [19:00 BST].

Michael McArdle will take charge of NI for the first time as they aim to secure their first points of the qualifying campaign and boost their chances of a play-off spot for the 2027 tournament in Brazil.

Northern Ireland welcome Malta to Mourneview before travelling for the reverse fixture of the double-header on Saturday, 18 April.

"Michael brings a lot of experience in, so we are all really excited to get to know him and get out on the pitch," Mason told BBC Sport NI.

"It is always good to have someone come in with new experiences and challenges.

"We know how important these next two games are, so we are going to continue to train hard and go from there."

Mason started her international career representing Gibraltar before making the switch to Northern Ireland in 2022.

The versatile left-back plays her club football at Charlton Athletic and has made 15 appearances for NI so far.

"I am really happy with my decision," Mason replied when asked about her international switch.

"I have loved every minute since being here so any time putting the shirt on is a huge honour.

"Every player brings something different and new, so it is really exciting."