'Huge challenge' but World Cup draw 'suits' NI - O'Neill

Northern Ireland have not played at a World Cup since 1986

Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill said he would have welcomed his side's World Cup qualifying pool before the draw - and believes being in a four-team group is beneficial.

Northern Ireland will face either Italy or Germany, as well as Slovakia and Luxembourg, as they aim to reach the 2026 World Cup in USA, Canada and Mexico.

Italy and Germany will play a Nations League quarter-final in March with the winner to be in Northern Ireland's group.

Those paired against teams involved in the Nations League knockouts were placed in four rather than five-team groups and will not start their qualification campaign until September 2025.

"I think it suits us a little bit better," said O'Neill.

"It gives us a little bit more preparation time and it just means you've less games, injuries and suspensions and stuff like that tend to catch up with you the more games you play.

"I think the way the group has come up, we would have taken that before the draw."

Regardless of whether it is to be Italy or Germany, O'Neill said Northern Ireland will be battling one of the "powerhouses" of world football with only the group winners qualifying automatically for the tournament, although runners-up will go into a play-off bracket.

Having already won their Nations League group, there also remains the possibility of a second route into those play-offs for Northern Ireland too.

"Obviously a huge challenge to for us to finish top of the group, but there is a play-off route," added O'Neill.

"We've already given ourselves a chance of that with our Nations League group as well, so there's a lot for us to go in with a lot of positivity.

"We know we'll be competitive in this group. There's no doubt about that. We just have to make sure we continue with the progression of the team."

'June fixtures are always the most difficult'

In O'Neill's second spell in charge of his country, he has fielded a predominantly youthful team, relying heavily on players such as Conor Bradley, Shea Charles, Trai Hume and Isaac Price.

The side produced a noteworthy performance to beat Bulgaria 5-0 at Windsor Park in October on their way to topping their third-tier Nations League group and there has been steady improvement over the past 14 months.

There have still been some of the inconsistencies associated with players lacking experience, however, and O'Neill said the additional time before starting their qualifying campaign will benefit his young panel.

Not having competitive fixtures at the end of the club season, he feels, is also an advantage.

"We've got March and June to hopefully put together a set of [friendly] fixtures that help make sure that we're ready for September," he explained.

"I also think that playing September, October, November suits us better than playing a competitive game in June. The June fixtures are always the most difficult with players possibly needing procedures at the end of the season, where their head is, keeping them fit.

"Our players predominantly play in the EFL [English Football League]. Their fixtures finish on 5 May and sometimes we're asking them to play on 12 June so it's very difficult. Not having that competitive game in June I think is a bonus for us."

Northern Ireland's World Cup qualifying fixtures

Thursday 4 September 2025 - Luxembourg v Northern Ireland, 19:45 BST

Sunday 7 September - Germany or Italy v Northern Ireland, 19:45 BST

Friday 10 October - Northern Ireland v Slovakia, 19:45 BST

Monday 13 October - Northern Ireland v Germany or Italy, 19:45 BST

Friday 14 November - Slovakia v Northern Ireland, 19:45 GMT

Monday 17 November - Northern Ireland v Luxembourg, 19:45 GMT