Slovakia and Northern Eire are hoping to strengthen their ambitions of reaching the 2026 World Cup when the groups meet of their penultimate video games in Group A in Kosice on Friday.
The hosts will begin the match behind part leaders Germany – who they go to on Monday – on aim distinction and three factors above Northern Eire, who will likely be eradicated in the event that they lose.
Germany concurrently go to Luxembourg, who’re but to earn a degree and play away to Northern Eire on Monday.
101GreatGoals.com has the total groups and beginning line-ups from the international between Slovakia and Northern Eire in 2026 World Cup qualifying.
Slovakia lineup vs Northern Eire
Napoli midfielder Stanislav Lobotka returns from damage for Slovakia. “He’s a world-class participant,” supervisor Francesco Calzona mentioned of the two-time Slovak Footballer of the 12 months.
“I recognize his human qualities much more. However I remind you as soon as once more that this whole crew has character. Everybody will prioritise the entire earlier than themselves, and Lobotka is an instance of that.”
Midfielders Mario Sauer and Ondrej Duda and ahead Adrian Kapralik are additionally out. “I’m blissful to guide this crew and these gamers,” added Calzona.
“They’re keen to work and so they have high quality. Even in these matches that didn’t go nicely for us by way of play or outcomes, they by no means failed to offer their finest.
“The Northern Irish have a robust crew; they’re one of many youngest nationwide groups in Europe.”
Slovakia beginning XI: Martin Dubravka, Adam Obert, Norbert Gyomber, Milan Skriniar, David Strelec, David Hancko, Lukas Haraslin, Tomas Rigo, David Duris, Matus Bero, Stanislav Lobotka
Slovakia substitutes: Marek Rodak, Dominik Takac, Peter Pekarik, Denis Vavro, Ivan Mesik, Leo Sauer, Tomas Bobcek, Robert Bozenik, Laszlo Benes, Lubomir Tupta, Patrik Hrosovsky, Ivan Schranz
Northern Eire lineup vs Slovakia
Northern Eire have a number of damage points, with first-choice goalkeeper Pierce Charles nonetheless unavailable and his brother, midfielder Shea, absent from the midfield with a hamstring downside.
Ali McCann is out with a damaged arm and fellow midfielder Ethan Galbraith is banned. Defender Brodie Spencer is out however Liverpool full-back Conor Bradley is again from suspension.
“After 40 years, we now have an opportunity to battle to achieve the World Cup and we consider we are going to handle it,” mentioned supervisor Michael O’Neill.
“We now have younger, good gamers who will stand towards skilled, sturdy Slovaks. We now have what it takes to handle it.”
Northern Eire beginning XI: Peacock-Farrell, Bradley, Devenny, Ballard, Hume, McConville, Saville, Lyons, McNair, Worth, D. Charles
Northern Eire substitutes: Hazard, Southwood, Lewis, Devlin, Marshall, Donley, Smyth, Reid, Kelly, McDonnell, Magennis, Brown
Find out how to watch Slovakia vs Northern Eire: TV channel, dwell on-line streams
Kick-off on Friday is at 19:45 GMT (14:45 ET / 11:45 PT), with dwell protection within the UK on BBC Two, BBC Three, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport web site.
European World Cup 2026 qualifying path
The highest crew from every of the 12 European Qualifier teams proceeds robotically to the finals, which will likely be expanded to 48 groups.
The 12 runners-up in every group will be a part of 4 Nations League groups within the play-offs, which will likely be drawn from pots primarily based on groups’ information in the course of the marketing campaign. The video games will comprise single-leg semi-finals and finals.
The draw for the World Cup finals will happen in December 2025. The match runs from June 11 till July 19 2026.
