If Northern Ireland make it to the FIFA World Cup finals next summer they will face Canada, Qatar and Switzerland in the group stages.
The draw for the 2026 tournament in Canada, Mexico and USA was made at the Kennedy Centre in Washington DC earlier today.
Northern Ireland, Italy, Wales and Bosnia and Herzegovina are in Path A of the European play-offs for the 2026 finals.
In today’s draw the winners (TBC) of Path A and three other European Paths (B to D) were placed in Pot 4.
In Group B co-hosts Canada were drawn from Pot 1, with Switzerland from Pot 2 and Qatar from Pot 3.
If Northern Ireland reach the final tournament they would play Canada in Toronto on June 12 followed by a clash with Switzerland on June 18 in Los Angeles. Their final game in Group B would be against Qatar in Seattle on June 24.
For now Northern Ireland can only dream of crossing the Atlantic for the global festival of football.
They will have to win a play-off semi-final against Italy (away) on 26 March and then a play-off final against either the Welsh or the Bosnians (also away) on 31 March to book their place at FIFA World Cup 2026.
Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill said:
“The draw was a fantastic spectacle and it’s always a privilege to be part of it.
“We know there are significant hurdles to overcome before we can think too far ahead, so we’ll stay grounded. But this is a young, fearless squad, growing in confidence all the time. We have an opportunity to reach a World Cup, and this group will give everything it has to make that a reality.
“Preparation for the play-off is absolutely vital and that work has already begun. If we allow ourselves a brief glance at the potential opponents in Group B, we know it will be challenging but certainly not insurmountable. For us, it’s about taking it step by step - and that starts with Italy in March.”
