Northern Ireland aim to end international window on a high against Georgia

Northern Ireland v Georgia: Northern Ireland will look to continue their unbeaten start to the UEFA Nations League when they welcome Georgia to Belfast tonight.

Michael O’Neill’s side face Georgia at the Clearer Twist National Stadium at Windsor Park, with kick-off at 7.45pm, in their fourth League B Group 2 fixture in just 11 days. 

Northern Ireland enter the game at the top of the group after an impressive opening three matches which have produced two victories, a draw and three clean sheets.

Impressive start to Nations League campaign

The campaign began with a memorable 1-0 victory over Georgia in Tbilisi on 25 September, when Shea Charles struck a superb injury-time volley to secure Northern Ireland’s first ever away victory in the Nations League and their first win at League B level.

That was followed by a goalless draw against Hungary at Windsor Park before Northern Ireland produced arguably their best performance of the international window on Friday night.

O’Neill’s side defeated Ukraine 3-0 in Trnava, with Ciaron Brown scoring twice and Isaac Price also finding the net in a commanding victory over their Group B2 rivals.

The result left Northern Ireland unbeaten after three matches and in a strong position heading into tonight’s return meeting with Georgia.

O’Neill faces selection decisions

Michael O’Neill will have decisions to make over his starting line-up after making three changes for Friday night’s impressive 3-0 victory over Ukraine. Brodie Spencer, Terry Devlin and Kieran Morrison were brought into the side in Trnava, replacing Ethan Galbraith, Patrick Kelly and Justin Devenny.

Pierce Charles has started all three Nations League matches in goal and is yet to concede in the competition, while captain Trai Hume, Shea Charles, Jamie Donley and Isaac Price have also been prominent throughout the campaign.

Daniel Ballard is unavailable after returning to Sunderland with an injury picked up in the opening victory over Georgia. 

O’Neill wants another strong home performance

The Northern Ireland manager has challenged his players to reproduce the performance which earned them victory in Tbilisi.

Writing in his matchday programme notes, O’Neill said his players had produced an “excellent performance” in the opening meeting with Georgia and would be looking to repeat it in Belfast.

He also stressed the importance of picking up positive results at Windsor Park as Northern Ireland attempt to establish themselves in League B following promotion from League C in the previous Nations League campaign.

Northern Ireland v Georgia is NI’s fourth match in 11 days

Tonight’s fixture completes an unusually demanding four-match international window for Northern Ireland.

The expanded September and October window has seen O’Neill’s squad face Georgia, Hungary and Ukraine before tonight’s second encounter with the Georgians.

UEFA’s 2026-27 Nations League schedule featured four matchdays between 24 September and 6 October, with the final two group fixtures taking place in November. 

Northern Ireland will therefore be hoping to take a healthy points total into those remaining matches after an encouraging start in League B.

Northern Ireland v Georgia (Live on BBC One NI)
UEFA Nations League – League B, Group 2
Clearer Twist National Stadium at Windsor Park
Monday 5 October 2026
Kick-off: 7.45pm

Related story: 25 September – Georgia 0 v 1 Northern Ireland