Northern Ireland Seeks Momentum Boost in Final World Cup Qualifier

As of November 17, 2025, Northern Ireland's World Cup qualifying campaign has come to an end, with the team finishing third in Group A. However, their strong performance in the Nations League has secured them a play-off spot, giving them a chance to still qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

Despite the team's inability to finish in the top two of their qualifying group, midfielder Isaac Price insists that their final match against Luxembourg on November 17 is a "massive game." The 22-year-old West Bromwich Albion player believes this is an opportunity for the team to build some much-needed momentum before their play-off semi-final in March.

"It's the only game we have to build on before we have probably the biggest game in our careers in March," said Price. "We are really fortunate we did well in the Nations League, and this is a big chance for this group of players to go and achieve something massive."

Northern Ireland's most recent outing, a 1-0 defeat to Slovakia on November 14, was a disappointing result, but the team now has the chance to bounce back on home soil at Windsor Park. Price acknowledges that they "weren't good enough" in the Slovakia game, but is hopeful that they can put on a "really good performance" against Luxembourg to set the tone for their crucial play-off match in the new year.