Northern Ireland’s Under-17s booked their place in the elite round of the U17 Euro 2026 qualifiers after drawing 1-1 with Finland in Cyprus.
Competition
U17 Euro 2026 Qualifying Round (Group 11)
Scoreline
Finland U17s 1-1 Northern Ireland U17s
Scorers
Finland: Juuso Makelainen (49’)
Northern Ireland: Joel Kerr (11’)
Venue
Sotira Municipal Stadium, Cyprus
Date
3 November 2025
Team News
Northern Ireland had to avoid defeat against Finland to reach the elite round of the U17 Euro 2026 qualifiers.
Prior to today Andy Waterworth’s team had defeated Armenia (2-1) and drawn with hosts Cyprus (0-0) in four-team Qualifying Round Group 11.
Waterworth made six changes to the 11 that started the game against Cyprus.
In came goalkeeper Matthew Belshaw, defenders Charlie Campbell and Calum Woods, midfielders Liam Kelly and Harry Gough plus striker Eamonn Tohill.
Dropping to the bench were keeper Phoenix Blayney, defenders Alfie Wilson and Alfie Mulvenna, midfielder Charlie McConnell and attackers Luke Hawe and Zak Magowan.
The 20-strong squad is chiefly made up of players who are currently part of, or have been part of, the Irish FA JD Academy or have previously played for Northern Ireland at youth level.
How it happened
Finland started on the front foot and Northern Ireland keeper Matthew Belshaw had to keep out a couple of efforts from Finnish attacker Nicklas Kroupkin.
Northern Ireland took the lead on 11 minutes when Liam Kelly’s excellent cross was superbly headed home by attacking midfielder Joel Kerr.
Coran Madden put a shot wide before Eamonn Tohill forced a good save out of Finland keeper Elias Lahti.
As half-time approached Northern Ireland substitute Alfie Wilson guided an effort wide of the target.
Half-time: Finland U17s 0-1 Northern Ireland U15s
On 49 minutes Finnish midfielder Juuso Makelainen levelled things up when he poked home a loose ball.
Defender Samuel Heikari and forward Jay De Nascimento both had opportunities before Belshaw kept out a shot from Finland sub Mustafa Mahmood.
Both sides then had plenty of the ball, however they struggled to carve out clearcut chances.
Belshaw was called into action once again in added time when he saved an effort from Finland defender Miguel Yinkfu Chuye.
The draw means Northern Ireland finished second in the group on five points. Cyprus, who had previously defeated the Finns, topped the group after defeating Armenia 1-0 today. Finland finished third on four points.
In round one of the qualifiers the top two teams from 14 groups (including Cyprus and Northern Ireland) advance to Round 2 League A (elite round), while the other teams will play in Round 2 League B.
The second set of qualifiers will be played next spring. In Round 2 League A 28 teams will be drawn into seven groups of four, with the winners of each group qualifying for the final tournament in Estonia next May.
Afterwards Waterworth said his team had played well and defended well against a strong Finnish side and fully deserved to go through to the elite rounds.
Full-time: Finland U17s 1-1 Northern Ireland U17s
Line-ups
Finland: Elias Lahti, Samuel Heikari, Niilo Tarvajarvi, Iivo Nyback (captain), Miguel Yinkfu Chuye, Chris Malinen, Jeff Selenge, Juuso Makelainen, Jay De Nascimento, Nicklas Kroupkin, Samuel Salo.
Substitutes: (used) Mustafa Mahmood, Markus Acquah, Nestori Meltoranta, Otto Heinonen, Toivo Koivuranta; (not used) Kasperi Silen (GK), Daniel Kesonen, Viljami Everi, Ilari Arvola.
Northern Ireland: Matthew Belshaw, Charlie Campbell, Calum Woods, Daniel McCarron, Calum Anderson (captain), Finlay Ross, Coran Madden, Liam Kelly, Eamonn Tohill, Joel Kerr, Harry Gough.
Substitutes: (used) Alfie Wilson, Luke Hawe, Zak Magowan, Charlie McConnell; (unused) Phoenix Blayney (GK), Sean Cassidy, Alfie Mulvenna, Jahmi Kellyman, Jack May.
