Northern Ireland football manager Michael O'Neill has expressed optimism that the Irish Football Association (IFA) will move forward with plans to build a national training centre by 2028. The IFA announced in February 2025 its intention to construct a "state-of-the-art" facility near the Galgorm Resort, located just outside the town of Ballymena. The proposed site is expected to include high-quality playing fields and advanced training equipment, aimed at supporting the development of both professional and amateur players. In August, the IFA reaffirmed its commitment to the project, while acknowledging the need to address concerns raised by local residents. O'Neill, who was born and raised in Ballymena, believes the new training centre will bring long-term benefits to the town and the national team. He emphasized the importance of having a centralized facility where young players can train and progress. "It's an elite facility that shows the intent from the association as they continue to develop players," O'Neill said. He noted that the facility would support not only the senior men's team but also underage and women's teams, helping to strengthen football development across all levels. Looking ahead to the Nations League campaign, which involves matches against Georgia, Hungary, and Ukraine in Group B2, O'Neill confirmed that Liverpool defender Conor Bradley will not be available for selection due to a knee injury he sustained in January. The team will play six matches over the next few months, spread across September, October, and November. O'Neill said that a more realistic return date for Bradley would be the March 2027 international break. "I'm comfortable with that," he said. "If we see him this side of Christmas, it's a real bonus, but if not, we look forward to March." The Nations League is a competition involving national teams from across Europe, designed to provide more regular fixtures and increase the level of competition. Northern Ireland's performance in the tournament will be an important indicator of the team's progress as it aims to improve its international standing and prepare for future tournaments.