NI squad – who’s fit and who’s been on the move?

Next month’s home and away qualifying games against Luxembourg and Germany will be broadcast live on the BBC as Northern Ireland attempt to win their first World Cup since 1986.

The two challenging games are NI’s first competitive games since March, and it will be their first since June when the squad has assembled.

At the start of September, Michael O’Neill will announce his team for the opening games on Thursday afternoon.

O’Neill already has a number of injury concerns, despite the fact that Thursday, September 4, is Northern Ireland’s first World Cup qualifying match against Luxembourg still being more than two weeks away.

Conor Bradley, a right-back for Liverpool, is the main one with a minor but unnamed injury, who has missed the start of the season.

With no update on Bradley’s fitness, Reds manager Arne Slot has yet to follow him as he sat out the Community Shield final defeat by Crystal Palace and Liverpool’s opening Premier League victory over Bournemouth on Friday night.

Given how significant his role in the team is to the squad and especially given that a major game is being played in Cologne against Germany just four days after the Luxembourg match, it is anticipated that O’Neill will include the 22-year-old in his squad and allow him to demonstrate his fitness.

Conor Hazard, who is still recovering from a knee injury from Northern Ireland’s 2-1 friendly defeat to Denmark in June, will not play for O’Neill.

The 27-year-old has missed Plymouth Argyle’s first five games of the season, according to manager Tom Cleverley, who earlier stated earlier this month that the club will be “patient” about the goalkeeper’s return.

Due to having missed Northern Ireland’s June friendlies due to a minor setback suffered by Ciaron Brown, who has not featured for Oxford United this season, will have to wait until the end of the season to prove his fitness.

Jordan Thompson‘s September international break is undoubtedly approaching too soon.

The midfielder, who recently had ankle surgery, will be out for a while.

A number of Northern Ireland players have already started the club campaign, which will help them gain confidence ahead of the upcoming international competition.

In their first game back in the Premier League, the Black Cats defeated West Ham 3-0, with the goals scored by Daniel Ballard and Trai Hume, who had impressed.

In the Community Shield final against Liverpool, Justin Devenny scored the winning penalty and started the substitutes’ goal as Crystal Palace drew 0-0 with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Isaac Price, who has consistently scored goals for his club West Brom internationally, is the real standout right now.

The 21-year-old scored the winning goal against Blackburn Rovers before scoring twice in their 3-2 victory over Wrexham, bringing his total to three goals in two Championship games.

Pierce has impressed as the Charles brothers’ number one goalkeeper at struggling Sheffield Wednesday, making it a regular game.

With West Ham and Rangers reportedly interested in acquiring his services, he has also been linked with a move away from the club.

Under new manager Will Still, Shea has started both of Southampton’s games.

In their opening game victory over Plymouth, Eoin Toal was named the Bolton Wanderers’ captain in the summer.

Northern Ireland players have had a busy summer, with many making moves to new clubs in search of regular game time and resuming international ranks.

Ethan Galbraith left League One’s Leyton Orient for an undisclosed fee, and he has since signed for Swansea City.

Jamie Donley, who also impressed on loan at Orient last year, has made the switch to Championship side Stoke City.

George Saville has dropped to League One and signed for Luton Town while Brodie Spencer has left Huddersfield for Oxford United.

For an undisclosed fee, Nottingham Forest’s Dale Taylor made the permanent move to Blackpool in League One.

The Seasiders have him working with Bailey Peacock-Farrell, who recently signed for Birmingham City on loan.

Caolan Boyd-Munce, who was replaced by fellow NI midfielder Liam Donnelly, left for Wycombe Wanderers.

Both Luke Southwood and Christy Pym, both goalkeepers, have left for Bristol Rovers and Grimsby Town.

Ross McCausland left Rangers on loan to move to Cyprus and join Aris Limassol, while Lee Bonis has signed for Chesterfield from Dutch side Ado Den Haag.

Next month’s journey to the USA, Mexico, and Canada’s World Cup finals will be officially started in Belfast.

Given that the majority of other teams in Europe began their qualifiers in March, NI is only four-team Group A, so this is a belated start.

To qualify for the tournament, NI has three chances. They will also automatically advance to the World Cup if they place first overall.

In a play-off that will feature a semi-final and final, they will join the 11 other second-placed teams and the four best Nations League group winners who did not automatically qualify for the World Cup.

There is still a chance of them making it to the World Cup if they fall short of the top two thanks to Northern Ireland’s group-winning Nations League campaign.

To place in the top two of their World Cup qualifying group, O’Neill’s side would need eight of the 11 teams in the group leader rankings to advance through this route.

Spain, Germany, Portugal, France, England, Norway, Wales, Czech Republic, Romania, Sweden, and North Macedonia are among those teams.

Given that Luxembourg are the group’s lowest-ranked team, NI’s opening game is the best way to launch their campaign.

O’Neill’s side faced Luxembourg twice in the Nations League in the fall, and both teams came away with victories and draws.

The team then travels on a challenging trip to Germany, where they will be guaranteed a spot in the World Cup if they advance as group winners.

In October, a home matchup with Germany and a home matchup with Slovakia, who defeated Northern Ireland in extra time in the final Euro 2020 play-off match.

Thursday, September 4th, 2019 at 19:45 BST, Luxembourg and Northern Ireland.

Sunday, September 7th, (19:45 BST): Germany vs. Northern Ireland

Friday, October 10 at 45 BST, Northern Ireland and Slovakia.

Monday, October 13 (19:45 BST): Northern Ireland v. Germany

Friday, November 14th, 19:45 GMT, between Slovakia and Northern Ireland.