Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill is focusing on assembling the strongest possible squad for the upcoming international friendlies against Denmark and Iceland in June. These matches are pivotal as they serve as the final preparation before the team embarks on their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign starting in September.

Preparation for World Cup Qualifiers O'Neill highlighted the significance of these friendlies, stating, 'These are tough games. Denmark will be tough, Iceland won't be an easy game, but it's good preparation for what lies ahead in September.' The team will face Germany, Slovakia, and Luxembourg in their World Cup qualifying group, with Germany being the favorites to top the group.

Injury Concerns and Young Squad In their last outing, a 5-1 defeat to Sweden in March, Northern Ireland was without key players such as Conor Bradley, Trai Hume, Dan Ballard, and Ali McCann. This forced O'Neill to field a starting XI with an average age of under 23. 'We were down maybe five or six other players in March and the team got very young,' O'Neill remarked.

Conor Bradley's Role and Impact Conor Bradley, who missed the last two games due to a hamstring injury, is seen as a crucial player for Northern Ireland. O'Neill praised Bradley's contribution, 'His contribution for us has been immense. In the Nations League he was terrific across the six games.' Bradley, who recently returned to action for Liverpool, is expected to bring his Premier League-winning experience to the national team.

Challenges Ahead O'Neill is aware of the challenges ahead but remains optimistic about the team's potential. 'It's a tough group, but we can show that we have the potential to hopefully challenge for a play-off spot,' he said. The manager is also considering the possibility of another route into the play-offs as a group winner from the Nations League.

Conclusion As Northern Ireland prepares for these crucial matches, the focus is on getting the squad to full strength and using these friendlies as a stepping stone for the World Cup qualifiers. The team's ability to handle the increased quality of opposition will be key to their success in the upcoming campaign.