With half of the matches played in Group A of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, three teams are level on six points, setting up a high-stakes clash between Northern Ireland and Germany at Windsor Park. The hosts come into this fixture buoyed by a strong 2–0 win over Slovakia a result that helped them recover from their 3–1 loss to Germany in September and reignited their qualification hopes, Softfootball reports.
Michael O’Neill’s men have now won three of their last four internationals and remain unbeaten at home since October 2023. That impressive record gives them plenty of belief heading into this fixture, especially with the home crowd at Windsor Park known for generating one of the most passionate atmospheres in European football.
Germany, on the other hand, lead the group on goal difference , but haven’t always been convincing. Their 4–0 victory over Luxembourg last week saw them take advantage of an early red card but failed to significantly boost their goal difference in what could become a tightly contested group.
Julian Nagelsmann’s side are still working to regain consistency after a difficult start to the year that saw them lose three consecutive matches, including their most recent World Cup qualifier away to Slovakia. Despite that, the four-time world champions possess the attacking quality and experience to handle pressure, and they’ll aim to extend their dominant head-to-head record over Northern Ireland having won each of the last ten meetings, with their last defeat in this fixture dating back to November 1983.
Team News
Northern Ireland will be without captain Conor Bradley, who serves a suspension after picking up a booking in the win over Slovakia. His absence is a significant blow, given his leadership and defensive work rate on the flanks.
However, Isaac Price remains a major threat going forward the midfielder scored against Germany in September and has made a habit of opening the scoring in front of home fans at Windsor Park. Manager Michael O’Neill could also turn to younger options in midfield to maintain energy levels and disrupt Germany’s rhythm.
Interestingly, in anticipation of the game Northern Ireland via their official X handle, shared a video telling fans coming to tomorrow on how to meet darts legends for pitchside Q&A, watch video below ;
Germany arrive in Belfast with no fresh injury concerns, giving Nagelsmann the chance to field a near full-strength squad. Joshua Kimmich continues to be the engine of the team, dictating play and adding goals from midfield, including a brace against Luxembourg that brought his international tally to ten.
Florian Wirtz and Serge Gnabry should provide width and creativity, while Karim Adeyemi or Youssoufa Moukoko may start upfront as the manager continues to experiment with his attacking line. The visitors will be wary of Northern Ireland’s physicality and set-piece strength but will back their technical superiority to make the difference.
Possible Lineups
Northern Ireland Possible Lineup(3-4-2-1): Peacock-Farrell; McNair, Hume, Ballard; Spencer, McCann, Charles, Devenny; Galbraith, Price; Reid.
Germany Possible Lineup (4-3-3): Baumann; Kimmich, Tah, Schlotterbeck, Raum; Pavlović, Goretzka, Wirtz; Gnabry, Woltemade, Adeyemi.
Germany via their official X handle, provided the latest update on one of its players Jamie who has been in individual training, has left the team quarters and won’t travel with the team to Belfast, they posted;
SoftFootball Prediction
Northern Ireland’s home form and fighting spirit will make this a competitive encounter, but Germany’s attacking depth and composure in key moments could prove decisive. Expect the hosts to frustrate the visitors early on, relying on counterattacks and set-pieces, while Germany will look to gain control through possession and midfield dominance.
Prediction: Northern Ireland 0–2 Germany
