Arsenal forward Ceadach O'Neill and Everton midfielder Braiden Graham have secured their places in Northern Ireland's squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League campaign, following their maiden call-ups for June friendlies against Guinea and France.
Manager Michael O'Neill has named 28 players for the four-match window, an increase from the 23 selected for the previous international break. The expanded squad reflects the demanding schedule ahead, with Northern Ireland facing four fixtures across an 11-day span from late September to early October 2026.
The teenage pair from the Premier League clubs both featured in the June friendlies, with the 18-year-old O'Neill appearing in both matches. Their retention demonstrates O'Neill's confidence in the emerging talents as the team prepares for a challenging League B campaign.
Defensive reinforcements return
Four defenders have been recalled after missing the June fixtures. Dan Ballard, Paddy McNair, Terry Devlin and Eoin Toal all return to the squad, strengthening the backline ahead of the Nations League matches.
Dundee United's Michael Forbes also features in the selection, earning a recall to the squad after winning his sole previous cap against Finland in 2023. Forbes' inclusion adds depth to the defensive options available to the manager.
Who is missing?
Liverpool full-back Conor Bradley remains sidelined due to ongoing recovery from knee surgery sustained in January and has not featured since that time. Preston North End midfielder Ali McCann joins Bradley on the absentee list for this window.
The fixture schedule ahead
Northern Ireland's Nations League campaign follows their promotion from League C in 2024. According to the official fixture schedule, the team will begin their League B challenge with an away trip to Georgia on 25 September, kicking off at 17:00. They then face Hungary at home on 28 September at 19:45, before travelling to Slovakia to play Ukraine on 2 October. The window concludes with a home fixture against Georgia on 5 October.
Manager Michael O'Neill has emphasised that there are "no easy games" in the League B draw, which also includes two additional matches against Ukraine and Hungary scheduled for November. The prolonged international window runs from 23 September to 6 October, placing significant demands on players and staff.
Squad composition
The 28-player squad comprises three goalkeepers: Pierce Charles, Conor Hazard and Bailey Peacock-Farrell.
The defensive contingent includes Tom Atcheson, Ruairi McConville, Trai Hume, Ciaron Brown, Brodie Spencer, Dan Ballard, Paddy McNair, Eoin Toal, Terry Devlin and Michael Forbes.
Midfield options are provided by Jordan Thompson, Shea Charles, Jamie McDonnell, Justin Devenny, Paul Smyth, Isaac Price, Patrick Kelly, Ethan Galbraith and Kieran Morrison.
The forward line comprises Josh Magennis, Jamie Donley, Dion Charles, Callum Marshall, Ceadach O'Neill and Braiden Graham.
Key facts
- Northern Ireland begin their League B campaign away to Georgia on 25 September 2026, with four matches scheduled across an 11-day international window
- Ceadach O'Neill (Arsenal, 18) and Braiden Graham (Everton) retain their places after making their debuts in June friendlies
- Four defenders—Dan Ballard, Paddy McNair, Terry Devlin and Eoin Toal—return after missing the June fixtures
- Liverpool full-back Conor Bradley and Preston midfielder Ali McCann remain unavailable due to injury
- The squad has been expanded to 28 players to cope with the demanding fixture schedule, up from 23 in June
