O'Neill and Graham retain places in NI squad

WHAT HAPPENED
Manager Michael O'Neill has kept Arsenal teenager Ceadach O'Neill and Everton's Braiden Graham in Northern Ireland's squad for the upcoming Nations League quadruple-header. Both players were first called into the senior setup for June friendlies against Guinea and France, with Ceadach O'Neill featuring in both matches.

Several players who missed the summer friendlies have been recalled: defenders Dan Ballard, Paddy McNair, Terry Devlin and Eoin Toal, plus goalkeepers Bailey Peacock-Farrell and Conor Hazard and forward Dion Charles. Dundee United defender Michael Forbes, who has one previous cap (against Finland in 2023), is also included. Liverpool full-back Conor Bradley remains absent following knee surgery and has not played since January; Preston's Ali McCann and Aberdeen's Brad Lyons are also unavailable. O'Neill has named a 28‑player group for the window and has named Luke Southwood, Josh Clarke and Jamie Reid as standbys.

KEY CONTEXT
- The squad selections follow Northern Ireland's promotion from League C to League B of the Nations League last year.
- The June call-ups for the Guinea and France friendlies were the first senior involvement for both O'Neill and Graham.
- With four Nations League fixtures scheduled inside an 11‑day window, the manager expanded his group from the 23 players he picked in June to 28 for this campaign.

WHY IT MATTERS
Retaining the two young forwards provides continuity after their initial summer introductions, while the return of several experienced defenders and keepers strengthens squad depth ahead of a congested international window. The larger roster and named standbys reflect the challenging schedule Northern Ireland face in League B and the need to cover potential absences.

WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- Northern Ireland begin their 2026 Nations League B programme away to Georgia on 25 September and finish that window at home to Georgia on 5 October; those fixtures will test the squad depth assembled.
- Monitor recovery and availability timelines for Conor Bradley, Ali McCann and Brad Lyons given their current absences.
- Whether the recalled players translate their return to the club form that earned them selection, and how the manager uses the expanded group across four matches in 11 days.

KEY FACTS
- Ceadach O'Neill (Arsenal) and Braiden Graham (Everton) retain places after June call-ups.
- Dan Ballard, Paddy McNair, Terry Devlin and Eoin Toal are back after missing June friendlies.
- Goalkeepers Bailey Peacock-Farrell and Conor Hazard, and striker Dion Charles, return to the squad.
- Michael Forbes included; his only previous cap came versus Finland in 2023.
- Conor Bradley has not played since January due to knee surgery and is absent; Ali McCann and Brad Lyons are also sidelined.
- Northern Ireland play Georgia on 25 September (away) and 5 October (home); squad of 28 named, with Luke Southwood, Josh Clarke and Jamie Reid on standby.
- Live coverage of Northern Ireland's six 2026 Nations League matches will be available on BBC NI, iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app, with radio on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster.