All eyes for Northern Ireland are firmly on preparations for the upcoming World Cup play-off against Italy, but players and fans alike will be interested in Thursday's Uefa Nations League draw to see who they will face later in the year. Northern Ireland will compete in League B of the fifth edition of the Nations League after they won promotion from League C in 2024. The latest edition of the competition will start during the newly expanded four-game international window in September and October later this year and run until June 2027. Before Thursday's draw, BBC Sport NI takes a look at Northern Ireland's potential opponents.

Source: BBC February 12, 2026 21:25 UTC