O'Neill and Graham retain places in NI squad

What the report says

Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill has kept Arsenal teenager Ceadach O'Neill and Everton forward Braiden Graham in his squad for the opening part of the 2026 Nations League B campaign. The pair, both called up for June friendlies against Guinea and France, remain in a larger 28-man group for a busy international window.

Several experienced players are back after missing the summer fixtures, including defenders Dan Ballard, Paddy McNair, Terry Devlin and Eoin Toal, plus goalkeepers Bailey Peacock-Farrell and Conor Hazard and striker Dion Charles. Dundee United defender Michael Forbes also returns after previously earning his first cap in 2023. Liverpool full-back Conor Bradley remains unavailable after knee surgery, while Preston midfielder Ali McCann and Aberdeen’s Brad Lyons are also out.

Northern Ireland begin their Nations League schedule away to Georgia on 25 September, before facing Hungary in Belfast, Ukraine in Slovakia and Georgia again at home on 5 October. The expanded squad reflects the demands of four matches in 11 days, compared with 23 players in the previous window.

The selections underline O'Neill’s mix of youth and experience as Northern Ireland continue building after promotion from the third tier last year. BBC Sport said all six of Northern Ireland’s Nations League games will be shown or covered across BBC platforms.