This article is about the men ‘s team. For the women ‘s team, see Northern Ireland women ‘s national football team
The Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in external association football. From 1882 to 1920, all of Ireland was represented by a single side, the Ireland national football team, organised by the Irish Football Association ( IFA ). In 1921, the legal power of the IFA was reduced to Northern Ireland following the secession of clubs in the soon-to-be Irish Free State, although its team remained the national team for all of Ireland until 1950, and used the appoint Ireland until the 1970s. [ 3 ] [ normality 1 ] The Football Association of Ireland ( FAI ) organises the separate Republic of Ireland national football team.
Although share of the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland has always had a representative side that plays in major professional tournaments – whether alongside the rest of Ireland pre-1922 or as its own entity – though not in the Olympic Games, as the International Olympic Committee ( IOC ) has constantly recognised United Kingdom representative sides. Northern Ireland has competed in three FIFA World Cups, reaching the quarter-final stage in the 1958 and 1982 tournaments. Northern Ireland held the award of being the smallest nation to qualify for a World Cup Finals from their beginning appearance in 1958 until 2006, when Trinidad and Tobago qualified for the 2006 World Cup. At UEFA Euro 2016, the team made its first appearance at the european tournament and reached the round of 16 .
history [edit ]
On 18 February 1882, 15 months after the establish of the Irish FA, Ireland made their external introduction against England, losing 13–0 in a friendly played at Bloomfield in Belfast. This remains the record get the better of for the team, and besides England ‘s largest winning margin. On 25 February 1882, Ireland played their second external, against Wales at the Racecourse Ground, Wrexham, and an equalizer from Johnston became Ireland ‘s first ever goal. In 1884, Ireland competed in the inaugural british Home Championship and lost all three games. Ireland did not win their first base game until 19 February 1887, a 4–1 win over Wales in Belfast. Between their debut and this game, they had a run of 14 defeats and 1 string, the longest function without a win in the 1800s. Despite the end of this run, grave defeats continued. On 3 March 1888, they lost 11–0 to Wales and three weeks later, on 24 March, lost 10–2 to Scotland. Further heavy defeats came on 15 March 1890 when they lost 9–1 to England, on 18 February 1899 when they lost 13–2 to England and on 2 February 1901 when they lost 11–0 to Scotland. In 1899, the Irish FA besides changed its rules governing the survival of non-resident players. Before then the Ireland team selected its players entirely from the Irish League, in particular the three Belfast-based clubs Linfield, Cliftonville and Distillery. On 4 March 1899, for the match against Wales, McAteer included four Irish players based in England. The change in policy produced dividends as Ireland won 1–0. Three weeks late, on 25 March, one of these four players, Archie Goodall, aged 34 years and 279 days, became the oldest player to score in external football during the nineteenth hundred when he scored Ireland ‘s goal in a 9–1 get the better of to Scotland. In 1920, Ireland was partitioned into Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland. In 1922, Southern Ireland gained independence as the Irish Free State, late to become a democracy under the name of Ireland. Amid these political upheavals, a equal football association, the Football Association of Ireland, emerged in Dublin in 1921 and organised a separate league and international team. In 1923, at a time when the home nations had withdrawn from FIFA, the FAI was recognised by FIFA as the governing torso of the Irish Free State on the condition that it changed its name to the Football Association of the Irish Free State. The irish FA continued to organise its national team on an all-Ireland basis. between 1928 and 1946, the IFA were not affiliated to FIFA and the two Ireland teams co-existed, never competing in the same competition. On 8 March 1950, however, in a 0–0 draw with Wales at the Racecourse Ground in a FIFA World Cup qualifier, the IFA fielded a team that included four players who were born in the Irish Free State. All four players had previously played for the FAI in their qualifiers and as a solution had played for two different associations in the like FIFA World Cup tournament. After complaints from the FAI, FIFA intervened and restricted players ‘ eligibility based on the political border. In 1953 FIFA ruled neither team could be referred to as Ireland, decreeing that the FAI team be formally designated as the Republic of Ireland, while the IFA team was to become Northern Ireland .
by performances [edit ]
british Home championship [edit ]
Until the 1950s, the major contest for Northern Ireland/Ireland was the british Home Championship. The team won the rival eight times, taking the title outright on three occasions. They were the last winners of the now defunct contest held in 1984, and hence distillery are the british champions, and the trophy remains the property of the Irish FA .
FIFA World Cup [edit ]
Northern Ireland ‘s best World Cup performance was in their first appearance in the finals, the 1958 World Cup, where they reached the quarter-finals after beating Czechoslovakia 2–1 in the play-off. They were knocked out by France, losing 4–0. In the 1958 competition, Northern Ireland became the least populous state to have qualified for the World Cup, a record that stood until Trinidad and Tobago qualified for the 2006 World Cup. Northern Ireland remains, however, the least populous state to have qualified for more than one World Cup finals tournament, to win a World Cup finals match, and to have progressed from the first round of the World Cup finals. captain of the home slope at the 1958 World Cup was Danny Blanchflower, who besides captained Tottenham Hotspur in the English league and was doubly football player of the class in England. His younger buddy Jackie was besides a key extremity of the national team, and won two league titles in England with Manchester United, until his career was ended by injuries suffered in the Munich air catastrophe of February 1958. Despite the presence of universe course ahead George Best, another Manchester United player, for the 1960s and 1970s, Northern Ireland failed to qualify for any major tournaments. Northern Ireland besides qualified for the 1982 World Cup. Their open crippled was against Yugoslavia at La Romareda stadium in Zaragoza. It was the external debut of 17-year-old Norman Whiteside, who became the youngest player always in the World Cup finals, a record that still stands. The game finished scoreless. Five days late, they drew 1–1 with Honduras, which was a disappointment, and many believed had doomed Northern Ireland ‘s chances of advancing in the contest. [ 7 ] They needed a win against hosts Spain in the third base and final group game at the Mestalla Stadium in Valencia. They faced a partisan atmosphere with a largely spanish crowd and a spanish -speaking referee in Héctor Ortiz who was unwilling to punish dirty play from the spanish players. [ 8 ] A error from Spain goalkeeper Luis Arconada, however, gifted Gerry Armstrong the only goal of the game, and despite having Mal Donaghy sent off on 60 minutes, Northern Ireland went on to record an historic 1–0 gain and top the first stage group. A 2–2 draw with Austria at the Vicente Calderón Stadium meant that a succeed against France would take them into the semi-finals, however a french team inspired by Michel Platini won 4–1 and eliminated Northern Ireland from the competition. In the 1986 World Cup, they reached the first circle. Billy Bingham, a member of the 1958 team, was coach for both of these tournaments. They have not qualified for any other World Cups since .
holocene history [edit ]
The Our Wee Country mural in east Belfast commemorative Northern Ireland beating England at home in 2005. Lawrie Sanchez was appointed in January 2004 after a run of ten-spot games without a finish under the previous director Sammy McIlroy, which was a european read for any international team until San Marino went over 20 games without scoring between October 2008 and August 2012. That run ended after his first game in charge, a 1–4 loss to Norway in a friendly in February 2004. The run of 16 games without a succeed ended after his second game, a 1–0 victory in a friendly over Estonia, with a largely experimental side, in March 2004. On 7 September 2005, Northern Ireland beat England 1–0 in a 2006 World Cup modifier at Windsor Park. David Healy scored the winner in the 73rd moment. Almost a year later, on 6 September 2006, Northern Ireland defeated Spain 3–2 in a qualifier for UEFA Euro 2008, with Healy scoring a hat-trick. In June 2007, Nigel Worthington was named coach in the place of Lawrie Sanchez, who took over at Fulham. Initially, Worthington took over until the end of the Euro 2008 qualifiers, but was late given a contract until the end of the Euro 2012 qualifiers. Michael O’Neill became director in February 2012 after Worthington had resigned in October 2011 after a poor people Euro 2012 qualification campaign. The Northern Ireland team qualified for its first ever UEFA European Championship, Euro 2016 in France, after beating Greece 3–1 at Windsor Park on 8 October 2015. [ 9 ] At the tournament, Northern Ireland were beaten 1-0 by Poland on 20 June 2016 followed by a 2–0 acquire against Ukraine on 16 June 2016 and finally a 1–0 loss against Germany in the group stage. That was enough to qualify for a Round of 16 position where they lost 1–0 to Wales due to an unfortunate own goal by Gareth McAuley. [ 10 ]
stadium [edit ]
Windsor Park before the recent renovation – a view from the Kop Stand, showing the two-tiered North Stand and the broken Railway resist behind the antonym goal Northern Ireland play their home matches at Windsor Park, Belfast, home of Linfield, which they have use of on a 108-year lease, giving the owners 15 % of tax income, including gate receipts and television receiver rights. [ 11 ] There was a proposal to build a multisports stadium for Northern Ireland at the disused Maze prison outside Lisburn for the habit of Rugby, Gaelic games and football. [ 12 ] This plan was given an “ in principle ” green light by the Irish Football Association. however, it was opposed by fans, over 85 % of whom in a match day poll conducted by the Amalgamation of Northern Ireland Supporters ‘ Clubs ( “ AONISC ” ) preferred to stay at a smaller modern or redeveloped crunch in the city of Belfast. [ 13 ] The AONISC organised a protest against the motion to the Maze at the game against Estonia in March 2006. The publish assumed always greater urgency by 2007, following a series of inspections which questioned the suitability of Windsor Park to host international football. [ 14 ] Following a decrease of capacity due to the closure of the Railway Stand, the IFA made it known that they wished to terminate their contract for the use of the stadium. [ 15 ] A report on health and base hit in October 2007 indicated that the South Stand might have to be closed for internationals, which would far reduce the stadium ‘s capacity to 9,000. [ 16 ] In April 2008, Belfast City Council announced that they had commissioned Drivers Jonas to conduct a feasibility analyze into the build of a Sports stadium in Belfast which could accommodate international football, which was followed at the begin of May 2008 by guess that the Maze Stadium project was going to be radically revised by Peter Robinson, the finance and personnel curate in the Northern Ireland Assembly, therefore that any construction might be used for purposes early than football, rugby union and Gaelic games. Given the time that is needed to build a new stadium, in the absence of meaning solve improving Windsor Park, it seemed to be likely that Northern Ireland might be forced to play their home games at a venue outside Northern Ireland for a period. In March 2009, proposals were announced for the construction of a fresh 25,000-seat stadium in the Sydenham area of East Belfast as an alternate to the Maze proposal. This would form part of a major development, with links to both George Best Belfast City Airport and the Bangor railroad track channel. The development would besides include a hotel, and retail/leisure areas. The stadium itself would be used for both football and rugby union, with Glentoran and Ulster Rugby intended as tenants. Ulster GAA, however, who were a partner in the Maze proposal, stated that in the event of a modern stadium being built in East Belfast, which is a major trade unionist area, their predilection would then be to remain at Casement Park in nationalist west Belfast. [ 17 ]
The modern redevelop Windsor Park. view from the Kop ( West Stand ) with only the corner between the West & North stands so far to be completed. The IFA were initially non-committal about any of the proposals for improving their facilities, be it rebuilding Windsor Park, or supporting either the Maze or Sydenham proposals. In September 2009, however, they issued an announcement in favor of the renovation of Windsor Park. [ 18 ] Although there were no specifics to this, Linfield had previously released a study with two proposals, of which the major one would be a £20 million rebuild of the stadium, raising the spectator capacity to 20,000. [ 19 ] In 2011, the Northern Ireland Executive allocated £138 million for a major course of study of stadium renovation throughout Northern Ireland, with £28 million allocated to the renovation of Windsor Park. [ 20 ] In June 2012, further details of the stadium ‘s renovation were released. The plan was to redevelop Windsor Park into an 18,000 all-seater stadium with a series of phase works primitively intended to begin in the summer of 2013. The renovation would include the destruction of the existing East and South Stand structures, to be replaced by new purpose built stands that would partially enclose the stadium ; complete renovation of the existing North and West Stands ; and construction of both modern conferencing facilities and a newly headquarters facility for the IFA. [ 21 ] In February 2013, planning license for the renovation was granted. The price of the project was estimated to be around £29.2 million, of which £25.2 million would come from politics financing. It was initially planned for the knead to begin in September 2013. [ 22 ] Two months late however, irish Premiership club Crusaders began legal proceedings to have the march judicially reviewed. As owners of the web site, rivals Linfield were in tune to receive not lone a redevelop stadium, but besides £200,000 per annum from the IFA in kingdom rent rather of the existing agreement which entitled Linfield to 15 % of match gross. Crusaders believed this to be against European Union competition law vitamin a well as a form of state aid towards Linfield. [ 23 ] In a listening that took seat on 22 May 2013, Crusaders ‘ request was granted. It was ruled that it was a possibility for the renovation to be classed as state care towards Linfield. The view of the challenge concerning competition law, however, was dismissed. [ 24 ]
Northern Ireland team in 2021 In July 2013, Crusaders agreed to a possible settlement brought forward by the discriminative reappraisal. The details of the village were not made public, but Crusaders said that it had the “ potential to benefit the entirety of the football family ”. [ 25 ] In September 2013, sports minister Carál Ní Chuilín said that she was still committed to making sure the renovation went ahead as scheduled, after previously stating that she would not sign off on the fund until the IFA resolved “ administration issues ” surrounding David Martin ‘s fall to the function of deputy president of the united states. [ 26 ] In December 2013, three months after the ferment was primitively scheduled to begin, the renovation was finally given the greens light. The sports minister signed off on £31 million to complete the visualize. The renovation ultimately got under direction on 6 May 2014 after the 2013–14 domestic season had finished, eight months late than originally planned. The make is ascribable to be completed in 2015. [ 27 ]
Supporters [edit ]
The Green and White Army The Green and White Army is the name given to the fans that follow the Northern Ireland national football team. Since the defeat of England in 2005, there has been an increase demand for tickets exceeding supply. [ 28 ] bantering songs such as “ We ‘re not Brazil, we ‘re Northern Ireland ” ( sung to the tune of Battle Hymn of the Republic, an american Civil War birdcall ), “ It ‘s Just Like Watching Brazil ” and “ Stand up for the Ulstermen ” are democratic at home matches. One of the first footballing celebrities was erstwhile Manchester United and Northern Ireland football player George Best. The 1968 european Footballer of the Year, Best won 37 caps and scored 9 goals for his area. [ 29 ] Leading up to the Euro 2016, YouTuber Sean Kennedy released the song “ Will Grigg ‘s on Fire ”, a parody about Northern Irish national Will Grigg to the tune of “ Freed From Desire “ by Gala. The sung became a popular chant and internet sensation. A studio version was released by London-based production duet Blonde, going on to reach number seven in the iTunes UK Top 100. [ 30 ]
Historic controversy over sectarianism [edit ]
Former captain Neil Lennon retired from international football due to sectarian death threats A humble element of Northern Ireland ‘s subscribe was, in the past, regarded as sectarian. [ 31 ] [ 32 ] [ 33 ] Neil Lennon, a Roman Catholic Celtic actor who had been subject to sectarian maltreatment from Northern Ireland fans while playing for Northern Ireland in Windsor Park, was issued a death terror by Loyalists and retired from international football in 2002 as a solution. [ 34 ] Steps taken to eradicate the sectarian chemical element within the subscribe have been successful. [ 35 ] Lennon has been immediate to praise these initiatives. [ 36 ] He besides praised the “ Football For All ” Outstanding Achievement Award Winner Stewart MacAfee [ 37 ] for the make he has done to create a more inclusive atmosphere at international games .
People like Stewart are the unappreciated heroes who have been brave enough to challenge sectarianism and who have actively created a more fun, safe and family-orientated atmosphere at international games. Fans like Stewart have made the air at Northern Ireland football games in late years the envy of Fans across not only Europe but World football. From a personal point of view I would like to thank them for their efforts .Neil Lennon
In 2006, Northern Ireland ‘s supporters were awarded the Brussels International Supporters Award [ 38 ] for their charity work, general good humor and demeanor and efforts to stamp out sectarianism. Representatives of the Amalgamation of Official Northern Ireland Supporters ‘ Clubs received the award from UEFA and EU representatives anterior to the Northern Ireland–Spain game at Windsor Park in September 2006. Northern Ireland Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, Carál Ní Chuilín, the first base senior Sinn Féin representative to attend an external at Windsor Park, commended “ the very actual efforts that have been made by the IFA to tackle sectarianism at their matches ” after a match in August 2011. [ 39 ]
Players [edit ]
current squad [edit ]
The follow players were called up for 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lithuania on 12 November and Italy on 15 November 2021. [ 40 ] Caps and goals updated as of 15 November 2021, after the match against Italy .
late call-ups [edit ]
The following players have been called up to the Northern Ireland police squad during the last 12 months.
Read more: Ex on the Beach (British series 6)
former squads [edit ]
FIFA World Cup squads
UEFA European Championship squads
Results and fixtures [edit ]
2021 [edit ]
FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifying [edit ]
On 7 December 2020, Northern Ireland were drawn to face the Bulgaria, Italy, Lithuania and Switzerland in 2022 FIFA World Cup reservation – UEFA Group C. The matches are scheduled to be played between March 2021 and November 2021. [ 41 ]
UEFA
Rules for classification: beginning : FIFA Rules for classification : Tiebreakers
Records [edit ]
Most capped players [edit ]
- As of 15 November 2021 after the match against Italy
Players still active are highlighted in green
top goalscorers [edit ]
- As of 15 November 2021 after the match against Italy
Players inactive active are highlighted in park
FIFA Rankings [edit ]
Last updated on 16 July 2020. [ 42 ]
Worst Ranking Best Ranking Worst Mover Best Mover
Rank
Year
Games
Played
Won
Drawn
Lost
Best
Worst
Rank
Move
Rank
Move
45
2020
8
0
3
5
36
0 (February)
45
4 (November)
36
2019
10
6
1
3
28
5 (June)
36
4 (October)
35
2018
9
2
2
5
24
2 (March)
35
6 (October)
24
2017
9
5
1
3
20
9 (April)
35
3 (October)
32
2016
13
5
3
5
25
4 (November)
36
6 (October)
30
2015
9
4
4
1
29
8 (March)
51
4 (April)
48
2014
7
3
1
3
43
28 (October)
95
6 (August)
89
2013
8
1
2
5
86
23 (September)
119
22 (April)
96
2012
7
0
4
3
86
17 (November)
129
28 (September)
88
2011
10
1
1
8
38
5 (February)
89
25 (April)
43
2010
10
1
3
4
39
14 (September)
59
11 (March)
40
2009
9
3
3
3
27
15 (April)
52
9 (November)
52
2008
8
2
2
4
32
2 (June)
52
10 (December)
32
2007
9
4
2
3
27
14 (April)
49
9 (September)
48
2006
8
4
1
3
45
21 (July)
103
3 (November)
103
2005
10
2
2
6
101
15 (September)
116
4 (August)
107
2004
11
3
6
2
107
9 (April)
124
2 (July)
122
2003
8
0
2
6
106
1 (June)
122
7 (October)
103
2002
6
0
3
3
89
1 (April)
103
8 (September)
88
2001
8
2
1
5
88
10 (September)
107
4 (June)
93
2000
7
3
1
3
84
5 (October)
98
5 (May)
84
1999
8
1
2
5
67
19 (January)
84
7 (October)
86
1998
6
3
1
2
86
7 (October)
99
6 (February)
93
1997
9
1
3
5
63
5 (April)
93
10 (December)
64
1996
7
1
3
3
48
11 (December)
75
9 (October)
45
1995
8
3
2
3
45
10 (September)
55
5 (February)
45
1994
7
3
0
4
33
7 (April)
45
8 (June)
39
1993
8
4
1
3
39
3 (August)
42
2 (October)
FIFA ranking history [edit ]
The follow is a chart of the annual averages of Northern Ireland ‘s FIFA rank .
Managers [edit ]
Current coach highlighted in green
Last updated after match against Italy on 15 November 2021.
Manager
First Game
Last Game
Pld
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Win %
Draw %
Loss %
Irish FA Selection Committee
18 February 1882 vs.
12 May 1951 vs.
177
29
27
121
200
568
-368
16.39%
15.25%
68.36%
6 October 1951 vs.
9 May 1962 vs.
51
9
14
28
67
119
-52
17.65%
27.45%
54.90%
10 October 1962 vs.
12 April 1967 vs.
28
11
4
13
46
54
-8
39.29%
14.29%
46.42%
21 October 1967 vs.
22 May 1971 vs.
20
8
3
9
24
22
+2
40.00%
15.00%
45.00%
22 September 1971 vs.
30 October 1974 vs.
20
6
6
8
16
18
-2
30.00%
30.00%
40.00%
16 April 1975 vs.
14 May 1976 vs.
11
3
2
6
7
15
-8
27.27%
18.18%
54.55%
13 October 1976 vs.
21 November 1979 vs.
24
6
5
13
19
38
-19
25.00%
20.83%
54.17%
26 March 1980 vs.
17 November 1993 vs.
98
32
31
35
91
107
-16
32.65%
31.64%
35.71%
23 March 1994 vs.
11 October 1997 vs.
31
8
8
15
34
41
-7
25.81%
25.81%
48.38%
25 March 1998 vs.
9 October 1999 vs.
14
4
3
7
9
25
-16
28.57%
21.43%
50.00%
23 February 2000 vs.
11 October 2003 vs.
29
5
7
17
19
40
-21
17.24%
24.14%
58.62%
18 February 2004 vs.
28 March 2007 vs.
32
11
10
11
35
42
-7
34.38%
31.24%
34.38%
22 August 2007 vs.
11 October 2011 vs.
41
9
10
22
35
55
-20
21.95%
24.39%
53.66%
29 February 2012 vs.
19 November 2019 vs.
72
26
18
28
75
83
-8
36.11%
25.00%
38.89%
4 September 2020 vs.
–
20
4
6
10
17
24
-7
20.00%
30.00%
50.00%
Total
668
171
153
342
694
1251
-557
25.60%
23.05%
51.35%
Statistics include official FIFA recognised matches entirely
stream coach staff [edit ]
Kit suppliers [edit ]
competitive record [edit ]
For the all-time record of the national team against opposing nations, see the team’s all-time record page
FIFA World Cup [edit ]
UEFA european championship [edit ]
UEFA Nations League [edit ]
Summary of results [edit ]
- All competitive matches[48]
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
542
139
120
283
581
1044
−463
- All matches including friendlies[49][50]‡
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
668
171
154
343
694
1251
−557
Results updated after match against Italy on 15 November 2021.
Honours [edit ]
Media coverage [edit ]
Sky Sports presently have the rights to show all of Northern Ireland ‘s competitive external fixtures. Highlights of qualifiers are shown on ITV with rights to World Cup Finals and european Championships held jointly by BBC and ITV – both channels shared coverage of Northern Ireland ‘s games at Euro 2016. Dating from the 1960s, Northern Ireland ‘s games were shown hot on BBC Northern Ireland, with highlights on network BBC via Sportsnight until the rights to home games were sold to Sky in 2007. [ 51 ] In May 2013, Sky acquired the rights to all Northern Ireland qualifying games for UEFA Euro 2016 and the 2018 FIFA World Cup. [ 52 ] From 2008 to 2013, BBC Northern Ireland held the rights to highlights of all of Northern Ireland ‘s home international qualifiers. But in May 2013, ITV secured a deal to show highlights of the european Qualifiers for Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup, including Northern Ireland games, between 2014 and 2017. In 2015, BBC Northern Ireland acquired the live rights to show Northern Ireland ‘s friendlies in the runup to UEFA Euro 2016, but the future two subsequent home friendlies against Croatia and New Zealand were shown on Premier Sports / eirSport until the contract ended before the 2018 World Cup .
See besides [edit ]
Notes [edit ]
- ^[4] however, apart from this match, all British Championship matches had been played as “Northern Ireland” since the 1973–74 tournament.[5] In the 1972–73 tournament, the first two matches were played as “Ireland” and the third as “Northern Ireland”. In the 1971–72 tournament, the first was played as “Ireland” and the second and third as “Northern Ireland”. 1970–71 was the last tournament in which all matches were played under the name “Ireland”.[6] The last pit played as Ireland was 1978 versus Scotland, however, apart from this match, all british Championship matches had been played as “ Northern Ireland ” since the 1973–74 tournament.In the 1972–73 tournament, the first two matches were played as “ Ireland ” and the third as “ Northern Ireland ”. In the 1971–72 tournament, the first was played as “ Ireland ” and the second and third as “ Northern Ireland ”. 1970–71 was the last tournament in which all matches were played under the name “ Ireland ” .
References [edit ]
Read more: David Prowse