Young stars Ceadach O'Neill (Arsenal) and Braiden Graham (Everton) have held onto their spots in the Northern Ireland squad ahead of a demanding run of four Nations League matches. Both players earned their first senior international recognition in June, when manager Michael O'Neill called them up for friendlies against Guinea and France. The 18-year-old O'Neill played in both of those games.
Key Returns to the Squad
Several experienced faces are back after being left out in the summer. Defenders Dan Ballard, Paddy McNair, Terry Devlin, and Eoin Toal all return, along with goalkeepers Bailey Peacock-Farrell and Conor Hazard. Striker Dion Charles has also been recalled.
Dundee United's Michael Forbes earns a recall too his only prior international appearance came against Finland back in 2023.
Notable Absences
Liverpool defender Conor Bradley remains sidelined as he works his way back from knee surgery; he hasn't featured in a match since January. Midfielders Ali McCann (Preston North End) and Brad Lyons (Aberdeen) are also missing from the squad.
Nations League Context
Northern Ireland enter this window having secured promotion out of League C last season, and now turn their attention to a busy 2026 Nations League B campaign. Their opening fixture takes them to Georgia on 25 September, followed by a home rematch against the same side on 5 October. Sandwiched between those games are a home clash with Hungary in Belfast and an away trip to face Ukraine in Slovakia.
Because the schedule packs four fixtures into just 11 days, O'Neill has opted for a larger group than usual 28 players in total, five more than were named for the June window.
Goalkeepers Luke Southwood and Josh Clarke, plus forward Jamie Reid, have been named as standby options.
Full Squad List
Goalkeepers: Pierce Charles (Queens Park Rangers, on loan from Manchester City), Conor Hazard (Wycombe Wanderers), Bailey Peacock-Farrell (Blackpool)
Defenders: Tom Atcheson (Blackburn Rovers), Ruairi McConville (Norwich City), Trai Hume (Sunderland), Ciaron Brown (Oxford United), Brodie Spencer (Oxford United), Dan Ballard (Sunderland), Paddy McNair (Hull City), Eoin Toal (Bolton Wanderers), Terry Devlin (Portsmouth), Michael Forbes (Dundee United)
Midfielders: Jordan Thompson (Preston North End), Shea Charles (Fulham), Jamie McDonnell (Oxford United), Justin Devenny (Stoke City), Paul Smyth (Queens Park Rangers), Isaac Price (West Bromwich Albion), Patrick Kelly (Barnsley), Ethan Galbraith (Stoke City), Kieran Morrison (Sheffield Wednesday, on loan from Liverpool)
Forwards: Josh Magennis (Stevenage), Jamie Donley (Luton Town, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur), Dion Charles (Blackpool, on loan from Huddersfield Town), Callum Marshall (Luton Town), Ceadach O'Neill (Arsenal), Braiden Graham (Everton),
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