Michael O'Neill: NI optimistic about World Cup qualifying

June 11, 2025

Michael O’Neill says Northern Ireland are approaching their upcoming World Cup qualifying campaign with optimism after beating Iceland in Tuesday’s international friendly.

Isaac Price scored the only goal of the game as the Green and White Army ended a run of three friendlies without a win, the last international action before qualifying begins in September.

Northern Ireland travel to Luxembourg on Thursday, September 4 in their opening match-up ahead of meetings with Germany and Slovakia in Group A.

Despite the daunting task in front, O’Neill is confident that his team will be competitive and football betting sites price Northern Ireland at 11/8 to finish in the top two.

“We approach it in a good place and we approach it with optimism. I think there’s a belief in there that, yes, we will be able to go and take points at this level. We look forward to it.”

WATCH: Isaac Price’s winning goal as Northern Ireland beat Iceland

Out of nowhere!

Northern Ireland take the lead thanks to Isaac Price ✅#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/ZsQlseXcyz

— BBC SPORT NI (@BBCSPORTNI) June 10, 2025

Northern Ireland haven’t qualified for the World Cup since 1986, where they were eliminated in the group stages.

The country has enjoyed success on the global stage though, topping their group in 1982 before being beaten by France in the quarter-finals.

Northern Ireland remains the least populous country to have qualified for more than one World Cup, won a World Cup match and progressed from the World Cup group stage.

O’Neill took the job in February 2012 after Nigel Worthington’s resignation and just over three years later, the team qualified for its first ever UEFA European Championship.

The GAWA qualified for a Round of 16 spot after Ukraine 2-0 and losing 1-0 to each Germany and Poland in the group stage. They went down to Wales due to an own goal by Gareth McAuley.

Team leaders from that era such as McAuley, Jonny Evans, Niall McGinn, Steven Davis, Kyle Lafferty, Stuart Dallas and Ollie Norwood have all since retired from the international game.

Northern Irish football is dominated by the new generation in 2025 with Price, Conor Bradley, Shea Charles and Trai Hume leading the charge.

Qualifying for the World Cup might take this squad a bit longer to achieve, but a play-off spot is certainly a realistic target and O’Neill has every right to feel positive going forward.