Northern Ireland Men's Football Team

Image source, Getty Images

Preston North End left-back Jamal Lewis has been called into the Northern Ireland squad for the first time in more than a year.

The 27-year-old, who joined Preston on a short-term deal until the end of December, has won 39 international caps.

The last of those came as in a 1-0 Nations League loss against Bulgaria in October 2024.

Having begun his career at Norwich City, where he made 100 appearances, Lewis joined Newcastle and had spells on loan with Watford and Brazilian side Sao Paulo during his time on Tyneside.

Lewis has made three appearances for Preston since arriving at the end of October, with his first start coming in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Millwall.

Image source, Irish FA

Northern Ireland's latest home shirt has been released ahead of the final two World Cup qualifiers.

According to Adidas, the traditional green shirt is "punctuated by an abstract graphic inspired by the transatlantic ships traditionally built in the shipyards of Belfast".

The Harland and Wolff cranes have previously been used as inspiration for Northern Ireland kits, and the most recent away shirts for Northern Ireland women's team have included a nod to the Giants Causeway and the Dark Hedges.

It would look good at the World Cup finals in the USA, Mexico and Canada, right? But first, Michael O'Neill's side have to get there with their final two qualifiers and a possible play-off in March.

The new kit will be worn for the first time in Northern Ireland's final World Cup qualifier at home to Luxembourg on 17 November.

What do you think? Let us know at @bbcsportni on X and BBC Sport NI on Facebook and Instagram.

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI Journalist

Image source, Press Eye

Northern Ireland defender Paddy McNair says Monday's 1-0 defeat by Germany in World Cup qualifying was a "missed opportunity".

Nick Woltemade's first-half goal, which came off the shoulder of the Newcastle United striker from a corner, was decisive at Windsor Park.

Northern Ireland pressed for an equaliser and had chances through Shea Charles, Callum Marshall and Justin Devenny to level.

The narrow defeat by Germany leaves Michael O'Neill's side third in Group A but the possibility of a World Cup play-off remains.

"I've played against Germany teams in the past who are much better than them and have better players as well," said McNair.

"So I do feel it's a missed opportunity."

The performance of referee Jesus Gil Manzano drew criticism from the home crowd and team, and the Spanish official waved away a last-gasp penalty appeal when Josh Magennis fell in the area at a corner.

However, what annoyed NI the most was the decision to add just two additional minutes at the end of the second half - a decision O'Neill called "ridiculous".

"I've never seen that in my life. I've played hundreds of games and I've never seen two minutes," added McNair.

"I don't know the reason for it. There's six, seven subs, is there? Usually it's, what, 30 seconds per sub, so it should be at least four minutes, shouldn't it?".

San Diego defender McNair says there will always be an element of "you never know" but "we definitely would have had a couple more chances if there was a few more minutes added on".

"I thought the second half performance was good. They were good first half, to be fair.

"They had a good game plan, and it felt like they switched the game a lot which couldn't really let us press them.

"I thought we definitely took the game to them. We're just so close. That's what it felt like."

Northern Ireland will finish their qualifying campaign in Slovakia, who are also vying for second place, and at home to bottom side Luxembourg in November.

Image source, BBC Sport

Germany's visit to Belfast will be live on BBC Two, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website with coverage on Radio Ulster and BBC Sounds .

The BBC Sport website will have live video, audio and text commentary available, plus in-play clips and analysis of both matches.

Coverage will start on TV and radio from 19:30 BST with the live page on the BBC Sport website starting the build-up from around 18:45 BST.

David Healy and Stuart Dallas will be joined by Northern Ireland women's international Carragh Hamilton as the TV analysts with Stephen Craigan alongside Thomas Kane in the commentary box.

On Radio Ulster and BBC Sounds, Joel Taggart will be joined by George McCartney and Jim Magilton with World Cup veteran John O'Neill alongside Michael Clarke on commentary.