Uncapped McMullan replaces Charles in NI squad

McMullan has previously been called up to Northern Ireland's senior squad

Uncapped goalkeeper Stephen McMullan has replaced the injured Pierce Charles in the Northern Ireland squad for next month's opening 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Sheffield Wednesday stopper Charles is unavailable for the games against Luxembourg and Germany after injuring his shoulder on club duty earlier this month.

With Plymouth's Conor Hazard also injured, McMullan - who is on loan at Waterford from Fleetwood Town - joins Bailey Peacock-Farrell and Luke Southwood in Michael O'Neill's squad.

Former Warrenpoint Town keeper McMullan, 20, has been capped at under-18, under-19 and under-21 level for Northern Ireland.

He has previously been called up to the senior squad but is yet to make his debut.

McMullan started his senior career at Irish Premiership club Warrenpoint before moving to Fleetwood Town in 2022.

Having struggled for game time, he spent six months on loan at Caernarfon Town in Wales last year before joining Waterford on loan for the 2025 League of Ireland season.

He has started all but one of their 28 league games this term.

Northern Ireland open their World Cup qualifying campaign away to Luxembourg on 4 September, before facing four-time world champions Germany in Cologne three days later (both 19:45 BST kick-offs), with both games live on the BBC.

O'Neill's side are attempting to become the first Northern Ireland squad to qualify for the finals since 1986.

Northern Ireland squad

Goalkeepers: Bailey Peacock-Farrell (Blackpool, on loan from Birmingham City), Luke Southwood (Bristol Rovers), Stephen McMullan (Waterford, on loan from Fleetwood Town).

Defenders: Trai Hume and Daniel Ballard (both Sunderland), Brodie Spencer (Oxford United), Conor Bradley (Liverpool), Ruairi McConville (Norwich City), Paddy McNair (San Diego), Eoin Toal (Bolton Wanderers), Terry Devlin (Portsmouth).

Midfielders: George Saville (Luton Town), Shea Charles (Southampton), Alistair McCann (Preston North End), Ethan Galbraith (Swansea City), Brad Lyons (Kilmarnock), Justin Devenny (Crystal Palace), Caolan Boyd-Munce (Wycombe Wanderers), Isaac Price (West Bromwich Albion), Paul Smyth (Queens Park Rangers), Callum Marshall (West Ham United), Jamie Donley (Stoke City, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur).

Forwards: Dion Charles (Huddersfield Town), Jamie Reid (Stevenage), Dale Taylor (Blackpool), Ronan Hale (Ross County).