Northern Ireland national football team

The Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international football. In such events, the constituent nations of the UK compete separately. Before 1921, all of Ireland was part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and the team represented the entire island. The independent Republic of Ireland has its own team.

Past performances

Northern Ireland's best World Cup performance was in their first appearance in the competition, the 1958 World Cup, where they reached the Quarter-finals after beating Czechoslovakia 2-1 in the play-off. They were knocked out by France, losing 4-0.

Related Topics:
World Cup - 1958 World Cup - Czechoslovakia - France

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Northern Ireland also qualified for the 1982 World Cup, reaching the second round after beating Spain, the hosts 1-0. In the 1986 World Cup, they reached the first round. Billy Bingham was manager for both of these tournaments. They have not qualified for any other World Cups. The side have yet to participate in their first European Championship finals.

Related Topics:
1982 World Cup - Spain - 1986 World Cup - Billy Bingham - European Championship

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Northern Ireland were the last winners of the now defunct British Home Championship held in 1984.

Related Topics:
British Home Championship - 1984

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Current coach Lawrie Sanchez was appointed in January 2004 after a run of 10 games without a goal. The previous manager was Sammy McIlroy. That run ended after his first game in charge, a 1-4 defeat to Norway in a friendly in February 2004. The run of 16 games without a win ended after his second game, a 1-0 victory in a friendly over Estonia, with a largely experimental side, in March 2004.

Related Topics:
Lawrie Sanchez - 2004 - Sammy McIlroy - Norway - Estonia

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On 7 September 2005 Northern Ireland acheived arguably their best victory in recent times by beating England 1-0 in a 2006 World Cup Qualifier at Windsor Park. David Healy scored the winner in the 73rd minute.

Related Topics:
7 September - 2005 - 2006 World Cup - Qualifier - Windsor Park - David Healy

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