Northern Ireland Men's Football Team

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Northern Ireland's opening Nations League game in Georgia in September will be played behind closed doors.

Northern Ireland were drawn with Hungary, Ukraine and Georgia in League B2.

NI will start their campaign in Georgia on 25 September, however it will be played without supports after the Georgian FA were hit with sanctions after multiple breaches of Uefa regulations and crowd disorder from a game against Armenia last year.

Patrick Nelson, the chief executive at the Irish FA, said it was "naturally disappointing".

"We will be liaising closely with all relevant stakeholders in the lead-up to the game," he said.

"While it is naturally disappointing that our supporters will be unable to attend and back the team in person, the priority remains the safety and security of everyone involved."

Northern Ireland fans spokesperson Gary McAllister said they were only informed of the issue by Football Supporters Europe, and a number of fans had booked flights to Georgia when the fixtures were released in the morning because they did not know the game would likely be behind closed doors.

"Our criticism of this would be that no one advised us of this," McAllister said.

"I know that some fans have already booked their travel for Georgia. I think there has to be better processes in place to advise people, but I would also argue that punishing the innocent because of the guilty is entirely wrong.

"Northern Ireland fans are being punished for the actions of Georgian fans. I think that is an issue that needs to be revisited by Uefa."

When contacted by BBC Sport, and Irish FA spokesperson said: "We recognise our fans' frustration on this matter.

"We were not informed about this ahead of the fixtures being announced and have raised the matter with Uefa."

Uefa has been contacted for comment.

Northern Ireland Nations League fixtures:

25 September: Georgia v Northern Ireland

28 September: Northern Ireland v Hungary

2 October: Ukraine v Northern Ireland

5 October: Northern Ireland v Georgia

14 November: Northern Ireland v Ukraine

17 November: Hungary v Northern Ireland

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Northern Ireland fans spokesperson Gary McAllister says Michael O'Neill's appointment as Blackburn Rovers manager "hasn't been very well received" by supporters.

O'Neill will take joint-charge of Championship side Blackburn and Northern Ireland until the end of the season after a short-term deal was agreed.

Blackburn are currently in the relegation places, while Northern Ireland face a World Cup play-off semi-final in Italy on 26 March as they look to reach the finals for the first time in 40 years.

McAllister, who is the chair of of the Amalgamation of Official Northern Ireland Supporters' Clubs, said O'Neill's appointment at Ewood Park came as "something of a surprise".

"Over the last couple of days there has been some speculation, but it quickly grew legs and now there has been an announcement.

"When you look at the reaction online from fans, I don't think it has gone down particularly well. I think you have to be honest."

'Far from ideal'

McAllister said he would rather focus on the Italy game in Bergamo, rather than O'Neill's future as Northern Ireland manager, but did say the "timing was far from ideal" with just six weeks until the play-off.

"I'm not surprised by the reaction we have seen from fans, and the timing is far from ideal," he added.

"I want us all to focus on the Italy game, it will be a massive challenge for us but it's a real opportunity to get to the World Cup for the first time in 40 years.

"But looking at the reaction of fans, it has not been well received unfortunately."

When asked if the atmosphere would be impacted for the game in Italy, McAllister said he did not think it would make a difference.

"Northern Ireland fans are very loyal to our team. We'll be travelling in numbers," he said.

"We'll be united behind our team, as we always are.

"Whoever the manager of our team was in the past, future or even today, we are always 100% behind the team."

McAllister also offered his reaction to the "disappointing" news that Northern Ireland's Nations League opener in Georgia.

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI Journalist

Image source, Press Eye

Northern Ireland will face hosts Canada, Qatar and Switzerland in Group B of the World Cup if they come through March's tricky play-off.

Michael O'Neill's side finished third in their qualifying group behind Germany and Slovakia, but still booked a play-off spot thanks to their Nations League finish in 2024.

Northern Ireland face a difficult play-off semi-final in Italy, who have not played at the World Cup since 2014, on 26 March in Path A.

If they can stun the Italians, then O'Neill's young squad would travel to Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina in the play-off final, and the winner of that match would progress to the finals in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

Hosts Canada would await in the opening game in Toronto on 12 June, before matches with Switzerland, in California on 18 June, and a final group match with Qatar in Seattle on 24 June.

"We know there are significant hurdles to overcome before we can think too far ahead, so we'll stay grounded," said O'Neill after the draw.

"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."

He added that preparations for the play-off semi-final in Bergamo had already started.

"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."

Northern Ireland last played in the 1986 World Cup, which was also held in Mexico.

They also played in the 1958 tournament in Sweden and in 1982, when they famously defeated hosts Spain thanks to Gerry Armstrong's winner.

Image source, Getty Images

Northern Ireland's World Cup play-off semi-final against Italy will take place at Stadio di Bergamo on 26 March.

Michael O'Neill's side's third-place finish in Group A of qualifying meant their place in the play-offs came through their Nations League performance as a pot four team, ensuring they would travel to a pot one team in the semi-final.

Italy finished second in Group I and enter the play-offs as the highest-ranked team, so will enjoy home advantage against Northern Ireland with the game to take place at the home of Atalanta.

Italy's last game at Stadio di Bergamo came in a World Cup qualifier against Estonia which they won 5-0. Their most recent qualifier, a 4-1 defeat by Norway, taking place at Milan's San Siro.

The Bergamo stadium has a capacity of just 21,300, meaning Northern Ireland fans will likely receive just over 1,000 tickets for the game as per Uefa rules.

The winner of the play-off will face a trip to either Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina on 31 March with the winner earning a place in next summer's World Cup in North America.