Northern Ireland's path through the Nations League draw has become a focal point for fans and players, especially with the World Cup play-offs against Italy looming. The draw, set for Thursday in Brussels, will place the Irish side in League B, a step up from their 2024 promotion from League C. Their group opponents could include familiar faces like Scotland, who reached the World Cup for the first time since 1990, or Republic of Ireland, both teams Northern Ireland has faced recently. Switzerland, a 2022 World Cup participant, is another potential hurdle.

The draw pits Northern Ireland against one side from three pots: Scotland, Hungary, Poland, Israel from Pot 1; Switzerland, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Austria, Ukraine from Pot 2; and Slovenia, Georgia, Republic of Ireland, Romania from Pot 3. Each pairing carries significant implications for their Euro 2028 qualifying hopes if they don't secure automatic qualification.