Northern Irelandv Switzerland: NI ‘have to aspire’ for World Cup qualification – O’Neill

Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill says the “target” for his side is to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

O’Neill’s side will face Luxembourg, Slovakia and the winner of the Nations League play-off between Germany and Italy when qualifying begins in September.

The winner of Group A will automatically qualify for the finals in the USA, Mexico and Canada, while the runner-up will go into a play-off.

There is a chance Northern Ireland could still qualify for a play-off by finishing outside the top two as winners of their Nations League group last year, but would need other teams above them to also qualify.

“Success for us would be managing to secure a play-off place for the World Cup at the very least and that’s what we have to aspire to do,” O’Neill said ahead of Friday’s friendly with Switzerland.

“There’s no point in me saying to the boys it would be great if we finish third because it won’t.”

Northern Ireland face the Swiss in Belfast and travel to Sweden on Tuesday. They will also play Iceland and another game against an unannounced opponent in June’s double-header.

With that in mind, O’Neill says it is important to make the friendlies “competitive” to try and ensure his side are in the best possible shape for the start of the qualifiers.

“We want to be playing for a place in the World Cup, whether that is through a play-off or if we could have an amazing group and overcome one of the big nations.

“It is a huge ask but we have to aspire to do it and give the players that target and goal to try and achieve.”