Northern Ireland Men's Football Team

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI Journalist

Image source, Press Eye

Northern Ireland will face hosts Canada, Qatar and Switzerland in Group B of the World Cup if they come through March's tricky play-off.

Michael O'Neill's side finished third in their qualifying group behind Germany and Slovakia, but still booked a play-off spot thanks to their Nations League finish in 2024.

Northern Ireland face a difficult play-off semi-final in Italy, who have not played at the World Cup since 2014, on 26 March in Path A.

If they can stun the Italians, then O'Neill's young squad would travel to Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina in the play-off final, and the winner of that match would progress to the finals in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

Hosts Canada would await in the opening game in Toronto on 12 June, before matches with Switzerland, in California on 18 June, and a final group match with Qatar in Seattle on 24 June.

"We know there are significant hurdles to overcome before we can think too far ahead, so we'll stay grounded," said O'Neill after the draw.

"But this is a young, fearless squad, growing in confidence all the time. We have an opportunity to reach a World Cup, and this group will give everything it has to make that a reality."

He added that preparations for the play-off semi-final in Bergamo had already started.

"If we allow ourselves a brief glance at the potential opponents in Group B, we know it will be challenging but certainly not insurmountable.

"For us, it's about taking it step by step - and that starts with Italy in March."

Northern Ireland last played in the 1986 World Cup, which was also held in Mexico.

They also played in the 1958 tournament in Sweden and in 1982, when they famously defeated hosts Spain thanks to Gerry Armstrong's winner.

Image source, Getty Images

Northern Ireland's World Cup play-off semi-final against Italy will take place at Stadio di Bergamo on 26 March.

Michael O'Neill's side's third-place finish in Group A of qualifying meant their place in the play-offs came through their Nations League performance as a pot four team, ensuring they would travel to a pot one team in the semi-final.

Italy finished second in Group I and enter the play-offs as the highest-ranked team, so will enjoy home advantage against Northern Ireland with the game to take place at the home of Atalanta.

Italy's last game at Stadio di Bergamo came in a World Cup qualifier against Estonia which they won 5-0. Their most recent qualifier, a 4-1 defeat by Norway, taking place at Milan's San Siro.

The Bergamo stadium has a capacity of just 21,300, meaning Northern Ireland fans will likely receive just over 1,000 tickets for the game as per Uefa rules.

The winner of the play-off will face a trip to either Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina on 31 March with the winner earning a place in next summer's World Cup in North America.

Image source, BBC Sport

It's the final World Cup qualifier for Michael O'Neill's side tonight and while their passage to the play-offs in March is already confirmed, there are plenty of reasons to tune into Monday night's game.

The match is live on BBC Two NI, BBC Three, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio Ulster, BBC Radio Sports Extra and BBC Sounds from 19:30 GMT.

On TV, Stephen Watson will be alongside Stuart Dallas, David Healy and Caragh Hamilton at Windsor Park, with Stephen Craigan on commentary duties with Thomas Kane.

On radio, Joel Taggart will have former NI internationals Keith Gillespie, Jim Magilton and George McCartney for company with John O'Neill joining Michael Clarke on commentary.

The BBC Sport website will have build-up from 18:45 GMT and you can follow all the twists and turns with our live text commentary and in-play clips throughout the game plus both the video and audio streams too!

And if that wasn't enough, we'll have more analysis and reaction on the BBC iPlayer once the TV broadcast has finished so if you are watching on TV tonight, remember to switch over for more.

Image source, Inpho

Northern Ireland midfielder Brad Lyons believes that life away from football is helping him to perform better on the pitch.

Manager Michael O'Neill gave the Kilmarnock captain his first international start in over two years during Friday night's 2026 World Cup qualifying defeat by Slovakia.

Despite the frustration of the 1-0 reverse, the 28-year-old said it was the "proudest moment of his life" to have his fiancee Aishlyn and three-month-old son Theo watching on from home.

"My fiancee surprised me and went out and got him a Northern Ireland kit so I got the photo before the game," said the former Coleraine and Blackburn Rovers player.

"I do everything for them so it was a proud moment to have them watching me. Without them I couldn't do this.

"It's one of them ones where my life outside of football is perfect so it's reaping rewards on the pitch."

With Shea Charles and Ali McCann still out injured, and George Saville now suspended after his second booking of the campaign, Lyons is hoping for another start against Luxembourg at Windsor Park on Monday night (19:45 GMT).

Northern Ireland have already booked a World Cup play-off spot through the Nations League and can neither improve their seeding for that March fixture nor qualify automatically for next summer's tournament.

Despite the lack of bearing the final qualifying fixture will have on the Group A table, Lyons still believes Luxembourg's visit remains an important one.

"I think Monday night is massive, to be honest," he added.

"Michael [O'Neill] said it straight after as well, that we want to play at Windsor, put on a good performance, hopefully get a good result and show the fans what it means to us and take that momentum into March.

"Yes, it's disappointing [to lose in Slovakia] but we've got a play-off. All focus is on that and it starts on Monday night."