Although most national football teams represent a sovereign state, FIFA statutes permit Northern Ireland as a member of the United Kingdom's Home Nations to maintain its own national side that competes in all major tournaments, with the exception of the Women's Olympic Football Tournament.

In September 2021 it was announced that the senior women's team would be adopting a full-time professional set up ahead of Euro 2022.

Simone Magill holds the world record for the fastest international goal in women's football.

Previously, US forward Alex Morgan had held the record at twelve seconds.

Magill achieved an eleven-second goal against Georgia at the start of a European Qualifying match on 3 June 2016.