Ceadach O'Neill and Braiden Graham Retain Northern Ireland Places for Nations League Fixtures

Ceadach O'Neill and Braiden Graham Retain Northern Ireland Places for Nations League Fixtures

Arsenal teenager Ceadach O'Neill and Everton prospect Braiden Graham have retained their places in Northern Ireland's squad for their upcoming Nations League quadruple-header.

The teenage duo received their first senior call-ups from manager Michael O'Neill for June's friendlies against Guinea and France, with 18-year-old Arsenal forward O'Neill featuring in both matches.

Northern Ireland have also been boosted by the return of several experienced players. Defenders Dan Ballard, Paddy McNair, Terry Devlin and Eoin Toal are back after missing the June internationals.

Goalkeepers Bailey Peacock-Farrell and Conor Hazard also return, alongside striker Dion Charles.

Dundee United defender Michael Forbes has earned a recall. His only previous Northern Ireland appearance came against Finland in 2023.

However, Liverpool full-back Conor Bradley remains unavailable as he continues his recovery from knee surgery, having not played since January. Preston North End midfielder Ali McCann and Aberdeen's Brad Lyons are also sidelined.

Northern Ireland earned promotion from the third tier last year and will begin their 2026 Nations League B campaign away to Georgia on 25 September.

Michael O'Neill's side will then face Hungary in Belfast and Ukraine in Slovakia before completing the international window at home to Georgia on 5 October.

With four fixtures packed into just 11 days, O'Neill has named an expanded 28-player squad, up from the 23 players selected for June's international window.

Goalkeepers Luke Southwood and Josh Clarke, along with striker Jamie Reid, have been placed on standby.

Northern Ireland Squad

Goalkeepers: Pierce Charles (Queens Park Rangers, on loan from Manchester City), Conor Hazard (Wycombe Wanderers), Bailey Peacock-Farrell (Blackpool).

Defenders: Tom Atcheson (Blackburn Rovers), Ruairi McConville (Norwich City), Trai Hume (Sunderland), Ciaron Brown (Oxford United), Brodie Spencer (Oxford United), Dan Ballard (Sunderland), Paddy McNair (Hull City), Eoin Toal (Bolton Wanderers), Terry Devlin (Portsmouth), Michael Forbes (Dundee United).

Midfielders: Jordan Thompson (Preston North End), Shea Charles (Fulham), Jamie McDonnell (Oxford United), Justin Devenny (Stoke City), Paul Smyth (Queens Park Rangers), Isaac Price (West Bromwich Albion), Patrick Kelly (Barnsley), Ethan Galbraith (Stoke City), Kieran Morrison (Sheffield Wednesday, on loan from Liverpool).

Forwards: Josh Magennis (Stevenage), Jamie Donley (Luton Town, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur), Dion Charles (Blackpool, on loan from Huddersfield Town), Callum Marshall (Luton Town), Ceadach O'Neill (Arsenal), Braiden Graham (Everton).

TAGS

  • Northern Ireland
  • Northern Ireland squad
  • Ceadach O'Neill
  • Braiden Graham
  • Michael O'Neill
  • UEFA Nations League
  • Northern Ireland Nations League
  • Arsenal
  • Everton
  • Conor Bradley
  • Dan Ballard
  • Paddy McNair
  • Dion Charles
  • Northern Ireland football
  • Nations League 2026
Written by

Gordon

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