Atcheson Replaces Ballard for Northern Ireland Team
Daniel Ballard will miss Northern Ireland’s FIFA World Cup 2026 play-off semi-final against Italy. He suffered a hamstring injury while playing for Sunderland against Brighton on 14 March.
Manager Michael O’Neill has responded by calling up Blackburn Rovers defender Tom Atcheson. The 19-year-old earns his first senior call-up ahead of the Bergamo tie on Thursday, 26 March.
Atcheson steps into the senior squad
Atcheson has progressed through Blackburn’s youth ranks. He has represented Northern Ireland at U17, U18, U19 and U21 levels.
The defender has made eight first-team appearances this season. He started the 0-0 Championship draw with Middlesbrough last Saturday.
Squad reporting and preparations
All 27 other players named in O’Neill’s original squad have reported for duty. They are scheduled to train in Liverpool today.
Tom Atcheson effectively replaces Ballard in the Northern Ireland team for the upcoming play-off. His inclusion strengthens the defensive options available to O’Neill.
Under-21 squad changes
Atcheson’s promotion prompted U21 boss Tommy Wright to call up two defenders. Larne’s Logan Wallace and Bangor’s Harry Lynch join the U21 group.
Wallace is 20 and can play right back or centre back. He has made 27 first-team appearances for Larne and is a former Northern Ireland U18 Schools international.
Lynch, 19, is a former Northern Ireland U19 international. Bangor signed him from Glenavon last summer on a two-year contract, and he has missed only two club starts this season.
Waterford midfielder Sam Glenfield has withdrawn from the U21 squad due to injury.
U21 fixtures and group standings
Northern Ireland U21s travel to face Germany at Eintracht Stadion in Braunschweig on Friday, 27 March. Kick-off is 17:00 GMT.
They then play Latvia at Daugava Stadium in Riga on Tuesday, 31 March, with a 12:00 BST start. These matches are part of the 2025-27 UEFA U21 Championship qualifiers.
Northern Ireland sit third in Group F with seven points. Their record reads two wins, one draw and two defeats from five games.
Greece lead the group with a perfect 15 points. Germany have 12 points, while Latvia are fourth with four points.
Report via Filmogaz.com.
