Everything you need to know about the Nations League draw
Nations League
Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill will hope for an improved run of results in the autumn
There’s no glamour draw on the horizon for Northern Ireland, but Michael O’Neill will see the Nations League as an opportunity to build some momentum ahead of next year’s World Cup Qualifying campaign.
Today, O’Neill’s men will be placed in Pot 3 of League C.
That means Northern Ireland cannot play fellow Pot 3 sides Cyprus, North Macedonia and Slovakia – three teams who have visited Windsor Park in recent years.
From Pot 1, O’Neill will be keen to avoid sleeping giants Sweden and Romania, with Armenia and Luxembourg likely more desirable opponents.
In Pot 2, Faroe Islands represent Northern Ireland’s best chance to get points on the board. In Pot 4, the Green and White Army will be hoping for a trip to Estonia.
Here is everything you need to know about today’s Nations League draw.
What time is it on?
The draw takes place at 5pm UK time this Thursday in Paris.
Can I watch it? Yes, it will be available on UEFA’s official website, app and YouTube channel.
How will the draw work?
The 54 competing UEFA nations will be paired into four-team groups - with four groups in Leagues A to C and two groups in League D.
Scotland are in with Europe’s big guns in League A. England, Wales and the Republic of Ireland are in League B and Northern Ireland occupy League C.
Head to heads?
In the group phase, the only possible head to head is England or Wales facing the Republic of Ireland in League B. England and Wales are in Pot 1 so cannot be drawn against each other, while the Irish are in Pot 3.
There is then the potential for some of the sides to come together in the competition’s new-look latter stages - see below. The
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