Northern Ireland's national football team has named its squad for a busy Nations League campaign, with young talents Ceadach O'Neill of Arsenal and Braiden Graham of Everton retaining their spots. Both players were called up for the first time by manager Michael O'Neill in June for friendlies against Guinea and France, with O'Neill featuring in both matches. The squad also includes several players who were absent during the June games, such as defenders Dan Ballard, Paddy McNair, Terry Devlin, and Eoin Toal, as well as goalkeepers Bailey Peacock-Farrell and Conor Hazard, and striker Dion Charles.
Among the returning players is Michael Forbes from Dundee United, who earned his only previous cap in a match against Finland in 2023. However, some key players remain out due to injury or surgery. Conor Bradley, a full-back for Liverpool, has been sidelined since January following knee surgery. He is joined on the sidelines by Preston North End midfielder Ali McCann and Aberdeen's Brad Lyons.
Northern Ireland will begin their Nations League B campaign with a trip to Georgia on 25 September, followed by matches against Hungary in Belfast and Ukraine in Slovakia. The team will conclude the window with a home game against Georgia on 5 October. With four matches scheduled within 11 days, O'Neill has selected 28 players for the squad, up from 23 in the previous window. Goalkeepers Luke Southwood and Josh Clarke, along with striker Jamie Reid, are also on standby in case of injuries or tactical decisions.
The squad includes players from various clubs across England and Scotland, with goalkeepers Pierce Charles, Conor Hazard, and Bailey Peacock-Farrell, defenders like Tom Atcheson and Ruairi McConville, and forwards such as Dion Charles and Ceadach O'Neill. All six of Northern Ireland's Nations League games from September to November will be broadcast live on BBC NI, BBC iPlayer, and the BBC Sport website and app, with radio coverage available on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster.
Northern Ireland Announces Squad for Upcoming Nations League Campaign
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