While last year’s women’s tournament only had 10 sides compete, there were 19 men’s teams who had hoped to take part in Guernsey 2023.

It led to a draw for the 16-team tournament with Alderney, Hitra and Western isles all missing out.

Western Isles eventually took part after a place opened up for them, but Alderney and Hitra’s omission last year means they are guaranteed a place next summer.

Orkney, as hosts, and Jersey, as reigning champions, will also be assured of spots, as will Faroe Islands, as the hosts in 2029 – although they have not sent a team since 1993 after joining Uefa and Fifa.

But it means there could be as few as seven places available for other islands and a real chance that island footballing powerhouses like Guernsey, Isle of Man, Isle of Wight and Ynys Mon could miss out.

Also unsure of a place are Orkney’s neighbours and fierce rivals Shetland.

“We were really anxious and nervous about getting into the last games when it was [a] 16-team [tournament] and there were almost as many entries as there were places,” said George Smith, the president of the Shetland Football Association.

“This could be even more disappointment, particularly when the games are going to be held in a neighbouring island.

“It’s going to be an anxious wait,” he added to the BBC.

“What I think needs to happen, if they’ve got more teams entering than what there are places, is they need to let the islands know as early as possible if they have a place or not.

“You cannot let folk spend the best part of a year preparing for something that they’re not going to take part in.”

May says concerns over a dilution of quality at Orkney 2025’s football tournament need to be tempered by the mission of the Island Games, which is to bring people together in the name of sport.

“The Island Games has never been just about the best people being able to participate,” she said.

“It’s about island members being able to participate, and that’s a really important part of the whole ethos of the Island Games.”