Northern Ireland can ‘use Italy pressure to our advantage’ in World Cup play-off | OneFootball

Northern Ireland will be without Dan Ballard and Conor Bradley for the 2026 World Cup play-off against Italy, as coach Michael O’Neill notes they can ‘use pressure to our advantage.’

The semi-final kicks off at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo on Thursday at 19.45 GMT (20.45 CET), with the winners going on to face either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina in the final.

O’Neill has faith in Northern Ireland against Italy

It goes without saying that Italy are the favourites going into this semi-final, and that is something that particularly weighs on the Azzurri’s shoulders after missing the 2018 and 2022 editions of the World Cup.

“The pressure is for them to deal with,” O’Neill told the Press Association.

“We can add to that with how we play the game, how we approach the game. The game’s not going to be won in the media or in the lead-up to it, by us continually saying Italy are under pressure.

“The game will be won if we make the game difficult for Italy, and then that pressure becomes prevalent in the 90 minutes. That’s how we use it to our advantage.”

ROME, ITALY – JUNE 19: The Italy new head coach Gennaro Gattuso attends the press conference at Hotel Parco dei Principi on June 19, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

There is bad news for Northern Ireland, because Sunderland defender Ballard has been ruled out and forced to return back home.

He suffered a hamstring injury during the Premier League defeat to Brighton on March 14, missed Sunday’s local derby against Newcastle United, and cannot recover in time.

Blackburn Rovers defender Tom Atcheson has been called up in his place.

This is the second defensive absentee, as Liverpool player Bradley had already been ruled out, although Ali McCann is back in training.

The Charles brothers, goalkeeper Pierce and midfielder Shea, are both available again for Northern Ireland after missing recent matches.

Northern Ireland have not qualified for the World Cup since 1986.

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND – NOVEMBER 17: Michael O’Neill, Head Coach of Northern Ireland, looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Northern Ireland and Luxembourg at Windsor Park on November 17, 2025 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

Northern Ireland squad

Goalkeepers: Bailey Peacock-Farrell (Blackpool, on loan from Birmingham City), Conor Hazard (Plymouth Argyle), Pierce Charles (Sheffield Wednesday), Josh Clarke (Partick Thistle).

Defenders: Paddy McNair (Hull City, on loan from San Diego), Tom Atcheson (Blackburn Rovers), Ciaron Brown (Oxford United), Trai Hume (Sunderland), Brodie Spencer (Oxford United), Eoin Toal (Bolton Wanderers), Ruairi McConville (Norwich City), Terry Devlin (Portsmouth).

Midfielders: George Saville (Luton Town), Ali McCann (Preston), Shea Charles (Southampton), Isaac Price (West Brom), Paul Smyth (Queen’s Park Rangers), Ethan Galbraith (Swansea City), Justin Devenny (Crystal Palace), Brad Lyons (Kilmarnock), Jamie Donley (Oxford United, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur), Jamie McDonnell (Oxford United), Patrick Kelly (Barnsley), Kieran Morrison (Liverpool).

Forwards: Josh Magennis (Exeter City), Dion Charles (Huddersfield Town), Callum Marshall (VfL Bochum, on loan from West Ham), Jamie Reid (Stevenage)