Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill has made it clear that the ultimate goal for his team is to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, whether through direct group qualification or the play-offs. The journey begins in September, with Northern Ireland set to face Luxembourg, Slovakia, and the winner of the Nations League play-off between Germany and Italy.

The top team in Group A will secure an automatic spot in the World Cup finals, which will be hosted across the USA, Mexico, and Canada. The runner-up will enter a play-off, but O'Neill's side also has a secondary route to the play-offs if they finish outside the top two, thanks to their Nations League group victory last year. However, this path depends on other teams' performance.

"Our aim is to be in the mix for a World Cup spot, whether through the play-offs or by pulling off a remarkable group stage performance against the big nations," O'Neill stated ahead of Northern Ireland's friendly against Switzerland. He emphasized the importance of setting ambitious targets: "It’s a significant challenge, but we must aim high and give our players a clear goal to strive for."

Northern Ireland’s preparation includes four friendlies, starting with Switzerland in Belfast and Sweden on Tuesday. They will also face Iceland and another yet-to-be-announced opponent in June. O'Neill stressed the importance of making these friendlies as competitive as possible to ensure the team is in peak condition for the qualifiers.

"Success for us would mean securing at least a play-off spot for the World Cup," O'Neill added. "There’s no value in settling for third place; we have to aim higher."

Northern Ireland’s campaign will require strategic planning, resilience, and a focus on maximizing their chances in a challenging group. O’Neill’s leadership and the team’s determination will be key factors as they pursue their World Cup dream.