Michael O’Neill in dark over suspension threat for World Cup play-off as four players walk tightrope
Northern Ireland will attempt to finish the World Cup qualifying campaign on a high note by beating Luxembourg but there are other factors at play
Staff reporter and Ian Parker
13:02, 17 Nov 2025
Northern Ireland’s head coach Michael O’Neill looks down in Slovakia(Image: BRANISLAV RACKO, AFP via Getty Images)
Michael O’Neill will approach Northern Ireland’s final World Cup qualifying Group A fixture against Luxembourg with caution regarding four players carrying yellow cards, despite uncertainty over whether they face suspension for March’s play-off.
Trai Hume, Justin Devenny, Josh Magennis and Jamie Reid have each been booked during this campaign, and whilst O’Neill believes another caution on Monday evening would sideline them in March, his appeal to UEFA for clarification on the regulations remains unanswered.
“We have asked for clarification on that,” O’Neill said. “As yet we haven’t got it. But as it is worded at the moment, it would appear that they would be (suspended).
“Having spoken to other associations, I think that’s the way that everyone who is in that situation is treating it unless we get clarification to the contrary.
“I suppose two bookings, you miss the next game, and the next game would be a play-off. That’s the way we have to approach it at this point in time, unless we hear differently.”
Last September, FIFA confirmed it had “granted the request submitted by UEFA to cancel all cautions that have not resulted in a sending-off or a suspension prior to the play-offs of the Preliminary Competition to the FIFA World Cup 2026.”
Suspensions have proved problematic for Northern Ireland throughout this qualifying campaign. Conor Bradley’s unavailability was sorely felt during last month’s 1-0 home loss to Germany, whilst Ethan Galbraith was a significant absentee in Friday’s 1-0 defeat in Slovakia which extinguished any hopes of securing a top-two finish in the group.
Daniel Ballard and George Saville will both be unavailable on Monday evening, with Ballard having been dismissed late on in Kosice where Saville picked up a booking.
Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill and Daniel Ballard(Image: PA)
Compounding O’Neill’s difficulties, Bailey Peacock-Farrell and Jamie Reid were both absent from Sunday’s training session due to back complaints.
Friday’s loss, especially the circumstances surrounding it with Tomas Bobcek’s controversial stoppage-time winner, left Northern Ireland reeling, but whilst it means the Luxembourg fixture carries no qualification implications, O’Neill refuses to view this as a meaningless encounter. Attention has now shifted firmly towards March.
“This is the only preparation game we have for the play-off, so this is the most important game we have now,” O’Neill added.
“We’ll have to look at what we do in terms of the line-up and there’ll be opportunities maybe for us to find out about some players as well that maybe haven’t had loads of minutes.
“(We want) a good performance, an energetic performance, freshness to the team and to play on the front foot, to finish the camp on a positive note and to look forward to March.”
Isaac Price insisted Monday remained a “massive” fixture for Northern Ireland despite nothing depending on the outcome. “We’re a young team and there’s always a chance for us to learn,” he expressed.
“International games don’t come around too often so every game we have, we’ve got to make the most of.”
Despite not scoring in his last three matches, Price has managed to rack up eight goals and one assist in his last 12 international appearances.
“I think I’m due a goal, aren’t I? !” Price joked. “I’ve not scored in three or four now so it’d be great to score tomorrow.”
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