Northern Ireland’s World Cup Qualification Journey: European Giants and Familiar Opponents Await

The qualification campaign for the upcoming World Cup has commenced. For Michael O’Neill’s Northern Ireland squad, the next tournament will mark four decades since their last appearance in international football’s premier event. Currently holding the 71st position in the Fifa rankings, Northern Ireland’s path to qualification will not begin until September, as they have been drawn into a group comprising four teams. With the 2026 World Cup set to be hosted across Canada, the United States of America, and Mexico, BBC Sport NI examines the teams standing in Northern Ireland’s way. Northern Ireland’s side will contend with either Germany or Italy in their bid to reach the finals. These two nations, both four-time World Cup winners, are scheduled to compete in a Nations League quarter-final in March, with the victor advancing to join Group A. Italy has failed to qualify for the last two World Cup finals, while Germany, despite winning the tournament in 2014, has not progressed beyond the group stages in the two most recent editions. Regardless of the outcome, this presents a significant fixture for Northern Ireland, involving matches against a multiple-time champion of the competition. Slovakia, ranked 41st in the FIFA world rankings and managed by Francesco Calzona, last participated in the World Cup finals in 2010, reaching the Round of 16. The previous encounter between these teams resulted in disappointment for Northern Ireland in Belfast, as Slovakia eliminated their hopes of qualifying for the delayed 2020 Euros. A 2-1 extra-time defeat in a play-off final at Windsor Park in November 2020 prevented Ian Baraclough’s team from securing consecutive Euros appearances. While Slovakia has not featured in a World Cup finals since 2010, they have qualified for the last three European Championships. In five matches against Northern Ireland, Slovakia has only suffered one loss, which was a 1-0 friendly defeat in 1998 at Windsor Park, sealed by Steve Lomas. Slovakia has emerged victorious in all competitive meetings between the sides, including World Cup qualifiers prior to the 2010 finals and the recent Euro 2020 play-off final. Their most recent Nations League campaign saw them finish second in Group C1 behind Sweden, and they are set to face Slovenia in a promotion/relegation play-off in March for an opportunity to advance to Group B. Luxembourg, ranked 92nd in the FIFA world rankings and managed by Luc Holtz, has never qualified for a World Cup finals. Northern Ireland has recent history with Luxembourg, having secured a win and a draw against them in the latest edition of the Nations League. Luc Holtz’s team, which has never reached a major tournament, has recorded only eight World Cup qualifying victories throughout its history. They have achieved notable wins in past qualifying campaigns, including a 1-0 triumph over the Republic of Ireland in 2021. In their most recent efforts to qualify for a major tournament, they finished third in their Euro 2024 qualifying group, securing five wins against Bosnia, Liechtenstein, and Iceland.