Michael O’Neill has revealed his squad for this month’s FIFA World Cup 2026 play-off semi-final against Italy.
Liverpool winger Kieran Morrison is the only new face in the Northern Ireland manager’s 28-strong panel for the game in Bergamo on Thursday 26 March.
The 19-year-old, who has previously played for his country at Under-16, U17, U19 and U21 level, earns his first senior call-up after impressing with Liverpool U21s this season.
Morrison made his full debut for Liverpool when he started against Crystal Palace in the League Cup back in November and he also made an appearance as a substitute in an FA Cup tie against Wolves earlier this month.
He has been an unused sub for the Reds on nine occasions, including last Tuesday's UEFA Champions League game against Galatasaray. For Liverpool U21s he has scored 13 goals in 17 appearances this season.
The winger is one of five changes to the panel which O’Neill chose for the final two World Cup European qualifiers against Slovakia and Luxembourg back in November.
Returning to the squad after missing those games through injury are Southampton midfielder Shea Charles, Preston North End midfielder Alistair McCann, Oxford United defender Brodie Spencer and Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Pierce Charles.
Retaining his place in the panel is Barnsley midfielder Patrick Kelly, who received his first senior call-up in late autumn and earned his first cap against Luxembourg. And Partick Thistle goalkeeper Josh Clarke, who was a late call-up to the squad in November, has kept his place, too.
Not included this time are goalkeeper Luke Southwood (Bristol Rovers), defender Ryan Johnson (AFC Wimbledon) and winger Ross McCausland (Aris Limassol, on loan from Rangers), while Conor Bradley (Liverpool) is injured.
Northern Ireland, Italy, Wales and Bosnia and Herzegovina are in Path A of the European play-offs for this summer’s World Cup finals in Canada, Mexico and USA.
O’Neill’s side will have to win the play-off semi-final against Italy in Stadio di Bergamo 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 the FIFA World Cup 2026 tournament.
The squad for the semi-final play-off against the Italians is as follows:
Goalkeepers – Bailey Peacock-Farrell (Blackpool, on loan from Birmingham City), Conor Hazard (Plymouth Argyle), Pierce Charles (Sheffield Wednesday), Josh Clarke (Partick Thistle, on loan from Celtic).
Defenders – Daniel Ballard andTrai Hume (both Sunderland), Ciaron Brown and Brodie Spencer (both Oxford United), Paddy McNair (Hull City), Eoin Toal (Bolton Wanderers), Ruairi McConville (Norwich City), Terry Devlin (Portsmouth).
Midfielders – Jamie Donley and Jamie McDonnell (both Oxford United), George Saville (Luton Town), Alistair McCann (Preston North End), Shea Charles (Southampton), Isaac Price (West Bromwich Albion), Paul Smyth (Queens Park Rangers), Ethan Galbraith (Swansea City), Justin Devenny (Crystal Palace), Brad Lyons (Kilmarnock), Patrick Kelly (Barnsley), Kieran Morrison (Liverpool).
Forwards – Josh Magennis (Exeter City), Dion Charles (Huddersfield Town), Callum Marshall (Vfl Bochum, on loan from West Ham United), Jamie Reid (Stevenage).
