Arsenal teenager Ceadach O’Neill and Everton’s Braiden Graham have secured their places in the Northern Ireland squad for the upcoming Nations League campaign, manager Michael O’Neill confirmed.
The two young players were first called up by O’Neill for June friendlies against Guinea and France, with the 18-year-old O’Neill featuring in both matches. They have now retained their positions as the squad prepares for a demanding double-header in Nations League B.
O’Neill has expanded his roster to 28 players for this window, a significant increase from the 23 selected for the June fixtures, due to a packed schedule featuring four games within an 11-day span.
Several defenders make a return to the fold, including Dan Ballard, Paddy McNair, Terry Devlin, and Eoin Toal, who all missed the previous international break. Dundee United midfielder Michael Forbes also earns a spot in the squad; Forbes previously won one cap against Finland in 2023.
Conversely, Liverpool full-back Conor Bradley remains sidelined following knee surgery sustained in January. He is joined on the sidelines by Preston North End midfielder Ali McCann.
Northern Ireland begins their 2026 Nations League B campaign with an away fixture against Georgia on 25 September. The team will face Hungary in Belfast and Ukraine in Slovakia before concluding the window with a home match against Georgia on 5 October.
The full 28-man squad is as follows:
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.
BBC NI, BBC iPlayer, and the BBC Sport website and app will provide live coverage of all six of Northern Ireland’s Nations League games, with additional radio coverage available on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster.
Shame about Bradley and McCann, but O’Neill clearly trusts these youngsters. Hope they rise to the occasion against Georgia.
Good move expanding the squad to 28 given the brutal schedule. Depth will be crucial over those 11 days.