Northern Ireland Nations League: O’Neill’s young squad ready for four-game test

Northern Ireland Nations League action returns this week as Michael O’Neill’s side prepares for four matches in 11 days against Georgia, Hungary and Ukraine.

The Northern Ireland Nations League campaign begins away to Georgia in Tbilisi on Friday 25 September, before O’Neill’s side return to Windsor Park to face Hungary on Monday 28 September.

Northern Ireland then travel to Slovakia to meet Ukraine on Friday 2 October before completing the international window with another game against Georgia at Windsor Park on Monday 5 October. 

The campaign marks Northern Ireland’s first season in League B after promotion from League C and presents a significantly tougher set of opponents for O’Neill’s developing squad. 

Northern Ireland Nations League fixtures

Northern Ireland’s opening match will be against Georgia at the Boris Paichadze National Stadium on Friday 25 September, with a 5:00pm kick off.

UEFA sanctions mean the match is currently scheduled to be played behind closed doors, with the Irish FA previously advising supporters not to book travel while discussions continued. 

Three days later, Hungary visit Windsor Park for a 7.45pm kick-off.

Northern Ireland will then travel to Trnava in Slovakia to face Ukraine at the Štadión Antona Malatinského on Friday 2 October. The Irish FA lists that game for 7.45pm. 

The four-match run concludes when Georgia visit Windsor Park on Monday 5 October at 7.45pm. 

O’Neill names 28-man squad

Michael O’Neill has named a 28-player squad for the four Nations League fixtures, with an average age of 24.

The Irish FA says the panel includes four teenagers and 17 players under the age of 25. 

Bailey Peacock-Farrell and Conor Hazard return among the goalkeepers, while Daniel Ballard, Terry Devlin and Eoin Toal are back in defence.

Paddy McNair is also included after recovering from a foot injury, while Dundee United defender Michael Forbes has been recalled to the senior squad. 

Jordan Thompson returns in midfield after last featuring for Northern Ireland against Sweden in March 2025, while Dion Charles is back among the forwards after missing the June friendlies. 

Ceadach O’Neill remains listed despite injury concern

Arsenal teenager Ceadach O’Neill was named in the original 28-man squad but has been dealing with an injury which kept him out of recent Arsenal Under-21 matches.

As of 22 September, the Irish FA’s current senior squad page still lists O’Neill in the Northern Ireland squad, and no official withdrawal has been announced. 

The 18-year-old made his senior Northern Ireland debut against Guinea in June and also appeared against France, giving him two senior caps. 

His fitness will therefore be worth monitoring as the squad prepares for Friday’s opener in Georgia.

Everton forward Braiden Graham, also 18, remains in the panel and is still waiting to make his senior international debut. 

Bradley, McCann, Lyons and McDonnell ruled out

Liverpool defender Conor Bradley is absent through injury.

Preston North End midfielder Alistair McCann and Aberdeen midfielder Brad Lyons are also on the treatment table and were unavailable for selection. Michael O’Neill confirmed late Tuesday evening that Jamie McDonnell is also confirmed out with a hamstring injury.

Goalkeepers Luke Southwood and Josh Clarke, along with forward Jamie Reid, were named on the standby list when the squad was announced. 

Northern Ireland squad

Goalkeepers: Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Conor Hazard, Pierce Charles.

Defenders: Daniel Ballard, Trai Hume, Ciaron Brown, Brodie Spencer, Paddy McNair, Ruairi McConville, Terry Devlin, Tom Atcheson, Eoin Toal, Michael Forbes.

Midfielders: Ethan Galbraith, Justin Devenny, Shea Charles, Isaac Price, Paul Smyth, Jordan Thompson, Patrick Kelly, Kieran Morrison.

Forwards: Josh Magennis, Dion Charles, Callum Marshall, Jamie Donley, Braiden Graham, Ceadach O’Neill.

That is the original 28-man squad named by Michael O’Neill. The Irish FA’s live squad page now categorises Ceadach O’Neill as a midfielder and Kieran Morrison as a forward, but both remain part of the senior squad. 

Step up to League B

Northern Ireland were promoted after winning their League C group in the previous Nations League campaign.

Their new Group B2 contains Hungary, Ukraine and Georgia, with O’Neill describing it as a competitive group when the draw was made.

He said the higher level would provide a valuable challenge for a young squad continuing to develop ahead of future qualification campaigns.

Hungary are the group’s top seeds, while Ukraine bring extensive major-tournament experience and Georgia have made significant progress internationally in recent years.

With four fixtures compressed into less than two weeks, O’Neill is likely to need the full depth of his squad as Northern Ireland begin life in League B.

The Irish FA’s current fixture information is available through its official Northern Ireland fixtures and results page.