Northern Ireland Aims to Leverage Italy's World Cup Play-off Pressure, Says Coach O'Neill

Northern Ireland faces Italy in a 2026 World Cup play-off, navigating the challenge without key players Dan Ballard and Conor Bradley. Coach Michael O’Neill believes his team can strategically use Italy's inherent pressure to their benefit.

The semi-final match is set for Thursday at 19:45 GMT (20:45 CET) at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo. The victor will advance to the final, competing against either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina.

O'Neill Expresses Confidence Ahead of Italy Clash

Italy enters this semi-final as the clear favorite, a status that brings significant pressure, particularly given their absence from the 2018 and 2022 World Cup tournaments.

“The burden of expectation rests squarely on their shoulders,” O’Neill commented to the Press Association.

“We can intensify that pressure through our performance and our approach. The match won't be decided by media narratives or by us constantly highlighting Italy's pressure beforehand.”

“Victory will be ours if we manage to make the game challenging for Italy, allowing their pressure to become evident throughout the 90 minutes. This is precisely how we intend to turn it to our benefit.”

Northern Ireland faces a setback as Sunderland defender Dan Ballard has been withdrawn from the squad and sent home.

Ballard sustained a hamstring injury during the Premier League loss to Brighton on March 14, subsequently missing the local derby against Newcastle United on Sunday, and will not recover sufficiently for the upcoming match.

Blackburn Rovers defender Tom Atcheson has been called up as his replacement.

This marks the second defensive absence, as Liverpool's Conor Bradley was already sidelined. However, Ali McCann has returned to training.

Goalkeeper Pierce Charles and midfielder Shea Charles, brothers who missed recent fixtures, are now both available for Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland's last World Cup qualification was in 1986.

Northern Ireland Squad

• Goalkeepers: Bailey Peacock-Farrell (Blackpool, on loan from Birmingham City), Conor Hazard (Plymouth Argyle), Pierce Charles (Sheffield Wednesday), Josh Clarke (Partick Thistle).
• Defenders: Paddy McNair (Hull City, on loan from San Diego), Tom Atcheson (Blackburn Rovers), Ciaron Brown (Oxford United), Trai Hume (Sunderland), Brodie Spencer (Oxford United), Eoin Toal (Bolton Wanderers), Ruairi McConville (Norwich City), Terry Devlin (Portsmouth).
• Midfielders: George Saville (Luton Town), Ali McCann (Preston), Shea Charles (Southampton), Isaac Price (West Brom), Paul Smyth (Queen’s Park Rangers), Ethan Galbraith (Swansea City), Justin Devenny (Crystal Palace), Brad Lyons (Kilmarnock), Jamie Donley (Oxford United, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur), Jamie McDonnell (Oxford United), Patrick Kelly (Barnsley), Kieran Morrison (Liverpool).
• Forwards: Josh Magennis (Exeter City), Dion Charles (Huddersfield Town), Callum Marshall (VfL Bochum, on loan from West Ham), Jamie Reid (Stevenage).