League B return, no Bradley and Kvaratskhelia test - NI talking points

Northern Ireland's 2026 Nations League campaign has focused on the future of Ceadach O'Neill and eligibility concerns. With the 18-year-old included in Michael O'Neill's 28-man squad, it appears his international career may be secured for now, potentially ruling out any future switch of allegiance. While one storyline seems to be resolved, there is still much to look forward to as Northern Ireland returns to League B. The squad was chosen based on merit, and O'Neill and Graham retain their places.

They will face four games in one 11-day period, starting with Georgia on September 25 and finishing at home to Georgia on October 5. In between, they will play Hungary at Windsor Park and Ukraine in Slovakia. The schedule poses challenges, particularly for younger players, but O'Neill believes it's a beneficial window for smaller associations.

The campaign will be more competitive in terms of quality and quantity, as Northern Ireland will face one of the best players in the world in Georgia's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. A top-two finish in the group would secure a safety net for Euro 2028 qualification. O'Neill remains optimistic about the young team's potential, despite the loss of key players like Conor Bradley.

Despite a tough 2025-26 season at club level, Jamie Donley is expected to continue playing regularly for the national team.