World Cup 2026 qualifiers: Northern Ireland-Slovakia, likely lineups

A direct clash for the top spot in Group A of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers takes place at Windsor Park in Belfast on Friday at 8:45 p.m. Slovakia, surprisingly leading the group, visits Northern Ireland, paired with Germany in second place and determined to take the top spot in front of their home crowd.

O’Neill relies on Bradley and Devenny on the outsides in midfield, while in the middle of the field there is room for Galbraith, Saville and McCann, tasked with giving balance and support to the offensive tandem of Price and Reid.

On the Slovak front, some doubt concerns the presence from the first minute of Haraslín in the offensive trident, which could be composed of Ďuriš, Strelec and Tupta. Behind them should act Duda, Bero and Sauer, defense headed by Skriniar.

Probable lineups

Northern Ireland (3-5-2): Peacock; Hume, McNair, Toal; Bradley, Gailbraith, Saville, McCann, Devenny; Price, Reid. All. O’Neill.

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Slovakia (4-3-3): Dubravka; Hancko, Skriniar, Satka, Gyomber; Duda, Bero, Sauer; Strelec, Duris, Tupta. All. Calzona.