Slovakia vs Northern Ireland: Lineups, team news, confirmed starting teams in 2026 World Cup qualifying
Full teams from Slovakia vs Northern Ireland
Slovakia and Northern Ireland are hoping to strengthen their ambitions of reaching the 2026 World Cup when the teams meet in their penultimate games in Group A in Kosice on Friday.
The hosts will start the match behind section leaders Germany – who they visit on Monday – on goal difference and three points above Northern Ireland, who will be eliminated if they lose.
Germany simultaneously visit Luxembourg, who are yet to earn a point and play away to Northern Ireland on Monday.
101GreatGoals.com has the full teams and starting line-ups from the international between Slovakia and Northern Ireland in 2026 World Cup qualifying.
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Slovakia lineup vs Northern Ireland
Napoli midfielder Stanislav Lobotka returns from injury for Slovakia. “He is a world-class player,” manager Francesco Calzona said of the two-time Slovak Footballer of the Year.
“I appreciate his human qualities even more. But I remind you once again that this entire team has character. Everyone will prioritise the whole before themselves, and Lobotka is an example of that.”
Midfielders Mario Sauer and Ondrej Duda and forward Adrian Kapralik are also out but defender David Hancko is back.
“I am happy to lead this team and these players,” added Calzona. “They are willing to work and they have quality.
“Even in those matches that did not go well for us in terms of play or results, they never failed to give their best.
“The Northern Irish have a strong team; they are one of the youngest national teams in Europe.”
Slovakia starting XI: Martin Dubravka, Adam Obert, Norbert Gyomber, Milan Skriniar, David Strelec, David Hancko, Lukas Haraslin, Tomas Rigo, David Duris, Matus Bero, Stanislav Lobotka
Slovakia substitutes: Marek Rodak, Dominik Takac, Peter Pekarik, Denis Vavro, Ivan Mesik, Leo Sauer, Tomas Bobcek, Robert Bozenik, Laszlo Benes, Lubomir Tupta, Patrik Hrosovsky, Ivan Schranz
Northern Ireland lineup vs Slovakia
Northern Ireland have a host of injury issues, with first-choice goalkeeper Pierce Charles still unavailable and his brother, midfielder Shea, absent from the midfield with a hamstring problem.
Ali McCann is out with a broken arm and fellow midfielder Ethan Galbraith is banned. Defender Brodie Spencer is out but Liverpool full-back Conor Bradley is back from suspension.
Dion Charles comes in for Jamie Reid, with Ruairi McConville in defence and Brad Lyons and George Saville in midfield.
“After 40 years, we have a chance to fight to reach the World Cup and we believe we will manage it,” said manager Michael O’Neill.
“We have young, good players who will stand against experienced, strong Slovaks. We have what it takes to manage it.”
Northern Ireland starting XI: Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Trai Hume, Daniel Ballard, Ruairi McConville, Paddy McNair, Justin Devenny, Conor Bradley, George Saville, Brad Lyons, Isaac Price, Dion Charles
Northern Ireland substitutes: Subs: Luke Southwood, Conor Hazard, Jamal Lewis, Terry Devlin, Callum Marshall, Jamie Donley, Paul Smyth, Jamie Reid, Patrick Kelly, Jamie McDonnell, Josh Magennis, Ciaron Brown
How to watch Slovakia vs Northern Ireland: TV channel, live online streams
Kick-off on Friday is at 19:45 GMT (14:45 ET / 11:45 PT), with live coverage in the UK on BBC Two, BBC Three, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.
European World Cup 2026 qualifying path
The top team from each of the 12 European Qualifier groups proceeds automatically to the finals, which will be expanded to 48 teams.
The 12 runners-up in each group will join four Nations League teams in the play-offs, which will be drawn from pots based on teams’ records during the campaign. The games will comprise single-leg semi-finals and finals.
The draw for the World Cup finals will take place in December 2025. The tournament runs from June 11 until July 19 2026.