'PK' receives first senior call-up for Northern Ireland

Former Coleraine midfielder Patrick Kelly has received his first senior call up to the Northern Ireland squad after manager Michael O’Neill named his squad for this month’s FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers against Slovakia and Luxembourg.

Barnsley midfielder Patrick Kelly has received his first senior call-up and is the only new face in the Northern Ireland manager’s 26-strong panel.

Kelly, who steps up from the Under-21s, has been performing strongly for the EFL League One side since making the switch to Oakwell from West Ham United in the summer. The 21-year-old has previously played for his country at U18 and U19 level as well as making a dozen appearances for the U21s.

Northern Ireland’s final two games in the group stages (Group A) of the European qualifiers will see them take on Slovakia at the Kosicka Futbalova Arena in Kosice on Friday 14 November (7.45pm kick-off GMT) and then Luxembourg at the Clearer Twist National Stadium at Windsor Park on Monday 17 November (7.45pm start).

Among the absentees this time are midfielders Shea Charles and Ali McCann. Southampton’s Charles has picked up a hamstring injury which will keep him out of action until next month, while Preston North End’s McCann is currently nursing a broken arm.

Also not included is Oxford United defender Brodie Spencer, who has a foot injury.

Returning to the fold is Kilmarnock midfielder Brad Lyons, who was injured for the home Group A games against Slovakia and Germany in October.

Plymouth Argyle goalkeeper Conor Hazard, Oxford United defender Ciaron Brown, Exeter City forward Josh Magennis and winger Ross McCausland, who is currently on loan at Cypriot top flight side Aris Limassol from Rangers, have all retained their places in the squad following their return to the panel last month.

Northern Ireland currently sit third in Group A with six points from four games, while group leaders Germany and Slovakia both have nine points from four qualifiers. Luxembourg have lost all four of their games to date.

The Northern Ireland squad for this month’s FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers is as follows:

Goalkeepers – Bailey Peacock-Farrell (Blackpool, on loan from Birmingham City), Conor Hazard (Plymouth Argyle), Luke Southwood (Bristol Rovers).

Defenders – Daniel Ballard andTrai Hume (both Sunderland), Paddy McNair (San Diego), Conor Bradley (Liverpool), Ciaron Brown (Oxford United), Eoin Toal (Bolton Wanderers), Ruairi McConville (Norwich City), Terry Devlin (Portsmouth), Ryan Johnson (AFC Wimbledon).

Midfielders – George Saville (Luton Town), Isaac Price (West Bromwich Albion), Paul Smyth (Queens Park Rangers), Ethan Galbraith (Swansea City), Justin Devenny (Crystal Palace), Ross McCausland (Aris Limassol, on loan from Rangers), Brad Lyons (Kilmarnock), Jamie Donley (Stoke City, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur), Jamie McDonnell (Mansfield Town, on loan from Nottingham Forest), Patrick Kelly (Barnsley).

Forwards – Josh Magennis (Exeter City), Dion Charles (Huddersfield Town), Callum Marshall (West Ham United), Jamie Reid (Stevenage).