2026-2027 Nations League: Northern Ireland vs. Georgia, Probable Lineups

To win in order to keep surprising everyone and dream of a direct promotion to League A of the Nations League—something few had predicted at the start of the tournament: this is Northern Ireland’s mission as they face Georgia—a team also in need of points, but in this case to avoid finishing last, which would mean a playoff against one of the top teams in League C—in front of the home crowd at Windsor Park in Belfast on Monday at 8:45 p.m. Italian time.

Northern Ireland has already faced Georgia, on September 25, winning 1-0 in Tbilisi: on that occasion, Kvaratskhelia—undoubtedly the most anticipated player of the match—missed a penalty kick, while Shea Charles, a midfielder for Fulham, scored the winning goal in the ninth minute of second-half stoppage time. A few days later, on September 28, they drew 0-0 with Hungary in Belfast, while on October 2, at a neutral venue in Trnava, Northern Ireland defeated Ukraine 3-0 (two goals by Brown, one by Price).

Georgia, after suffering a loss on the first matchday, then drew 0-0 with Ukraine at home before losing 1-0 in Hungary, with Kerkez’s goal dashing the hopes of Kvaratskhelia and his teammates. The national team coached by Ramaz Svanadze seems to have long since lost the form that allowed it to reach the Euro 2024 finals: a win on a tough road field like Belfast’s—where the crowd can make all the difference—could restore confidence to a fan base shaken by the disappointing results of the past two years.

Probable Lineups

NORTHERN IRELAND (5-4-1): P. Charles; Spencer, Atcheson, McConville, Brown, Devlin; Morrison, Hume, S. Charles, Price; Donley. Head Coach: O’Neill.

GEORGIA (3-4-1-2): Mamardashvili; Goglichidze, Dvali, Locoshvili; Kakabadze, Yegoian, Mekvabishvili, Tsitaishvili; Chakvetadze; Mikautadze, Kvaratshkhelia. Head Coach: Svanadze.