SpotlightBBC SportUnverified source· 22 Sept 2026
Ballard back as NI brace for Nations League marathon
After a hamstring lay-off, Dan Ballard returns to a Northern Ireland squad he says is packed with talent and hunger.
D. Ballard
player
Age
27
Club
Sunderland
Nation
Northern Ireland
Position
Defender
Fixtures
Four in 11 days
What happened. Dan Ballard is back in the Northern Ireland squad after missing April's World Cup play-off semi-final against Italy and June friendlies with Guinea and France through a hamstring injury. He says the camp offers a great opportunity for players short on minutes.
- NI play four Nations League matches this window, their first such run since 2022.
- They travel to Georgia on 25 September, host Hungary three days later.
- A trip to face Ukraine in Slovakia and a home game against Georgia follow on 5 October.
“There is a lot of talent and hunger”
— Dan Ballard
Ballard's return boosts Michael O'Neill's defence for a demanding 11-day, four-match Nations League stretch.
In this story
Northern IrelandMore to read
The Guardian
Belgium v France, Northern Ireland v Hungary and more: Nations League – live
Mirror Football
How to watch Northern Ireland vs Hungary for free – TV channel, streaming, kick-off time
BBC Sport
NI players relish Windsor return against Hungary
BBC Sport
Why are Northern Ireland playing Ukraine in Slovakia?
