SpotlightBBC SportUnverified source· 15 Sept 2026
O'Neill: NI picks based on merit, not eligibility
Michael O'Neill insists he will never select players just to tie them to Northern Ireland.
M. O'Neill
coach
Role
Northern Ireland manager
Returned
2022
Key stance
No eligibility-driven picks
Example
Ceadach O'Neill
What happened. Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill stated he would never consider FIFA eligibility rules when selecting his squad, emphasising that he picks players on merit. He also said he does not feel it is fair to ask teenagers to make irreversible decisions on their international future.
- Ceadach O'Neill, 18, has two NI caps and is in the Nations League squad.
- The teenager has also been approached by the Republic of Ireland.
- O'Neill: 'I've never put a player on the pitch from that point of view.'
“I wouldn't just put a player on the pitch for that because that would be unfair on the player and I've never done that.”
— Michael O'Neill
Northern Ireland begin their Nations League campaign away to Georgia on 25 September, with O'Neill's squad including four teenagers.
In this story
Northern Ireland
