Nations League: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia awaits Michael O'Neill's side in League B return

Northern Ireland are back in the second-tier of the Nations League for the first time since 2020

The build-up to Northern Ireland's 2026 Nations League campaign has been dominated by the future of Ceadach O'Neill and the always thorny issue of eligibility.

While one prominent storyline seems as if it will soon be put to bed, there is plenty more to look out for as Northern Ireland make their return to League B.

For the first time since June 2022, Northern Ireland will face four games in the same international window.

The manager has named a 28-man panel for the games, compared to bringing 23 players along for June's double-header of friendlies against Guinea and France.

"I think for a smaller association, it poses more challenges if I'm honest. If a player picks up a calf strain the Saturday before we meet up, he's going to miss four games. It's a window that, I believe, is more beneficial for the bigger nations.

The campaign represents a step up in quality as well as quantity, not least when facing a player O'Neill calls one of the best in the world in Georgia's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia,

Topping a League C group also containing Luxembourg, Belarus and Bulgaria last time around was enough to ensure a backdoor route into the World Cup play-offs this year where Northern Ireland were beaten 2-0 by Italy in Bergamo.

"I do think it's a group that is quite well matched in terms of where the teams are," said O'Neill.

"I think the games will be extremely tough, but I think it's a great challenge."

Northern Ireland's 2026 World Cup qualification hopes were ended by play-off defeat in Italy

Reflecting on his role with Fifa's Technical Study Group at the World Cup, O'Neill said it was noteworthy to see how many games "were decided by individual brilliance" rather that general superiority of winning teams.