Northern Ireland Faces Luxembourg in Final World Cup Qualifier

BELFAST, Northern Ireland — Northern Ireland will host Luxembourg on November 17, 2025, as both teams compete in their final match of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Kick-off is set for 7:45 PM GMT at Windsor Park.

The Irish team, managed by Michael O'Neill, is looking to end their qualifying campaign on a high note after a disappointing 1-0 loss to Slovakia on November 14. Although Northern Ireland has already secured a playoff place, O’Neill is wary of the suspensions looming over several players.

“We’ve got players on yellow cards and we have to be wary of that,” O’Neill said. “A second yellow would rule them out of the playoff. These are all factors that come into play.”

Four players — Trai Hume, Justin Devenny, Josh Magennis, and Jamie Reid — are each one card away from a suspension, which could impact their playoff availability. O’Neill emphasized the importance of careful decision-making regarding these players’ roles in the upcoming match.

In contrast, Luxembourg, managed by Dan Huet, seeks to close the qualifiers on a positive note. Having endured a tough campaign without a win and scoring only once, the team aims to regain some competitive edge. Luxembourg’s last outing ended in a 2-0 defeat against Germany.

“This is the 38th major tournament Luxembourg has attempted to qualify for, but they’ve yet to make one,” said Huet. “We want to ensure we end this campaign with some pride.”

Despite their struggles, Luxembourg possesses quality players like Leandro Barreiro from SL Benfica, who is expected to play a pivotal role on the pitch.

The matchup will be crucial not only for pride but also for re-establishing momentum and confidence for both teams moving forward.

With the stakes high, fans expect an intense battle as Northern Ireland takes aim at securing a win at home, and Luxembourg hopes to upset the hosts at Windsor Park.