Northern Ireland Squad Selection for Nations League Challenge

Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill has kept faith with teenage duo Ceadach O'Neill and Braiden Graham for a demanding Nations League window that will test the depth and resilience of his squad.

The Arsenal midfielder and Everton forward, both still in their teens, retain their places after first being called up for June’s friendlies against Guinea and France. Ceadach O'Neill, 18, featured in both of those games and has clearly done enough to convince the manager he belongs at this level.

Experience Returns

Defenders Dan Ballard, Paddy McNair, Terry Devlin and Eoin Toal are all back in the group after missing the June fixtures, restoring some much-needed familiarity to the back line. Behind them, goalkeepers Bailey Peacock-Farrell and Conor Hazard also return having sat out the summer, while Bolton Wanderers striker Dion Charles is recalled to bolster the attacking options.

There is another chance too for Michael Forbes. The Dundee United defender, whose only cap so far came against Finland in 2023, is included again as O'Neill widens his pool ahead of a punishing schedule.

Injury Concerns

Not everyone is ready to rejoin the fight.

Liverpool full-back Conor Bradley, sidelined since January following knee surgery, remains absent. He is joined on the injury list by Preston North End midfielder Ali McCann and Aberdeen’s Brad Lyons, both ruled out and leaving gaps in midfield and on the flanks that others must now fill.

Upcoming Fixtures

The calendar offers no mercy.

After winning promotion from the third tier last year, Northern Ireland open their 2026 Nations League B campaign away to Georgia on 25 September and close the same window at home to the Georgians on 5 October. Between those two meetings, they host Hungary in Belfast before facing Ukraine in Slovakia, four matches crammed into an 11-day stretch that will stretch resources and concentration.

Squad Size

O'Neill has reacted by going big.

He has named a 28-man squad this time, a notable increase on the 23 he selected for June, as he looks to manage minutes, injuries and momentum across the quadruple-header. On top of that, goalkeepers Luke Southwood and Josh Clarke, along with striker Jamie Reid, have been placed on standby.

The message is clear: no one will cruise through this campaign. Every place, from teenage hopeful to seasoned regular, will have to be earned on the pitch over an unforgiving 11 days that could shape Northern Ireland’s entire Nations League story.