Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill has named a 28-player squad for the 2026 Nations League B window, with teenage forwards Ceadach O’Neill (Arsenal) and Braiden Graham (Everton) retaining the places they earned in June. The squad increase reflects a packed schedule of four matches across an 11-day spell.
- Ceadach O'Neill and Braiden Graham keep places in Northern Ireland's 28-man squad for the 2026 Nations League window.
- Several senior players who missed summer friendlies return, including Dan Ballard, Paddy McNair and goalkeepers Bailey Peacock-Farrell and Conor Hazard.
- Northern Ireland face a compact schedule of four Nations League matches in 11 days, prompting an expanded squad and standby players.
Who is in and who is back
O’Neill’s selection blends youth and experience. The two teenagers, who were first called up for June friendlies against Guinea and France and saw the Arsenal forward make both appearances, keep their places.
Several established internationals return after missing the summer friendlies: Dan Ballard, Paddy McNair, Terry Devlin and Eoin Toal in defence; goalkeepers Bailey Peacock-Farrell and Conor Hazard; and striker Dion Charles. Dundee United defender Michael Forbes, who has one previous cap (against Finland in 2023), is also included.
The full 28-player squad named by the Northern Ireland FA contains three goalkeepers, ten defenders, nine midfielders and six forwards. The squad list in the FA release and reporting includes:
- Goalkeepers: Pierce Charles, Conor Hazard, Bailey Peacock-Farrell
- Defenders: Tom Atcheson, Ruairi McConville, Trai Hume, Ciaron Brown, Brodie Spencer, Dan Ballard, Paddy McNair, Eoin Toal, Terry Devlin, Michael Forbes
- Midfielders: Jordan Thompson, Shea Charles, Jamie McDonnell, Justin Devenny, Paul Smyth, Isaac Price, Patrick Kelly, Ethan Galbraith, Kieran Morrison
- Forwards: Josh Magennis, Jamie Donley, Dion Charles, Callum Marshall, Ceadach O’Neill, Braiden Graham
Injuries and absences
Conor Bradley, the Liverpool full-back, remains absent as he has not played since January following knee surgery. The squad also omits Preston’s Ali McCann and Aberdeen’s Brad Lyons; reports indicate they are not available for selection.
Why the squad is larger this time
Northern Ireland face a compressed Nations League B schedule: an away game in Georgia on 25 September, home matches against Hungary in Belfast and, later in the window, they play Georgia again at home on 5 October, with a fixture against Ukraine in Slovakia in between. With four fixtures to be played in just 11 days, O’Neill has expanded the squad to 28 players; Luke Southwood, Josh Clarke and Jamie Reid have been named on standby.
What this means for the youngsters
Keeping Ceadach O’Neill and Braiden Graham in the squad underlines continuity in the pathway from youth to senior international football. Both forwards were first involved in June and retaining places signals the manager’s willingness to integrate younger options alongside more experienced players such as Josh Magennis and Dion Charles. The decision does not, by itself, guarantee game time; selection for each match will depend on training, tactics and match circumstances.
Fixture and broadcast details
As reported by the Northern Ireland FA and media coverage, the campaign opens away to Georgia on 25 September and concludes at home to Georgia on 5 October, with ties against Hungary and Ukraine in between. Live coverage of Northern Ireland’s Nations League fixtures in 2026 will be available on BBC NI, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app, with radio coverage on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster.
Next steps and implications
O’Neill must manage a dense fixture list while balancing club commitments and travel for players based across the UK and beyond. The inclusion of a broader squad provides depth as Northern Ireland seek promotion ambitions in Nations League B. For the teenage duo, being retained keeps them in the senior setup during a competitive period; for the team, the returned veterans aim to stabilise the backline and goalkeeping corps after summer absences.
Timeline
- June 2026: Ceadach O’Neill and Braiden Graham receive first senior call-ups for friendlies against Guinea and France.
- 15 September 2026: Northern Ireland announce a 28-player squad for the Nations League window, retaining both teenagers and recalling several senior players.
- 25 September 2026: Nations League campaign opens away to Georgia.
- 5 October 2026: Nations League window concludes with a home fixture against Georgia.
Source attribution
This article is based on the Northern Ireland squad announcement and associated reporting by the BBC. Specific squad details, fixture dates and broadcast information reflect that source.