Northern Ireland national football team records and statistics

This page details Northern Ireland national football team records and statistics; the most capped players, the players with the most goals, and Northern Ireland's match record by opponent and decade.

Player records

  Players still active are highlighted in green

Most capped players

Caps and goals updated as of 18 November 2020 after the match against  Romania

# Name NI Career Caps Goals First Cap Last Cap
1 Steven Davis 2005– 124 12 9 February 2005 vs. 15 October 2020 vs.
2 Pat Jennings 1964–1986 119 0 15 April 1964 vs. 12 June 1986 vs.
3 Aaron Hughes 1998–2018 112 1 25 March 1998 vs. 3 June 2018 vs.
4 David Healy 2000–2013 95 36 23 February 2000 vs. 26 March 2013 vs.
5 Mal Donaghy 1980–1994 91 0 16 May 1980 vs. 11 June 1994 vs.
6 Jonny Evans 2006– 89 4 6 September 2006 vs. 18 November 2020 vs.
7 Sammy McIlroy 1972–1986 88 5 16 February 1972 vs. 15 October 1986 vs.
Maik Taylor 1999–2011 88 0 27 March 1999 vs. 11 October 2011 vs.
9 Keith Gillespie 1995–2008 86 2 7 September 1995 vs. 19 November 2008 vs.
10 Gareth McAuley 2005–2018 80 9 4 June 2005 vs. 18 November 2018 vs.
11 Chris Baird 2003–2016 79 0 3 June 2003 vs. 12 June 2016 vs.
Kyle Lafferty 2006– 79 20 21 May 2006 vs. 12 November 2020 vs.
13 Jimmy Nicholl 1976–1986 73 1 24 March 1976 vs. 12 June 1986 vs.
14 Michael Hughes 1991–2004 71 5 13 November 1991 vs. 8 September 2004 vs.
15 David McCreery 1976–1990 67 0 8 May 1976 vs. 18 May 1990 vs.
16 Nigel Worthington 1984–1997 66 0 22 May 1984 vs. 11 February 1997 vs.
17 Chris Brunt 2004–2017 65 3 18 August 2004 vs. 12 November 2017 vs.
18 Martin O'Neill 1971–1984 64 8 13 October 1971 vs. 14 November 1984 vs.
Corry Evans 2009– 64 2 6 June 2009 vs. 14 October 2020 vs.
20 Gerry Armstrong 1977–1986 63 12 27 April 1977 vs. 12 June 1986 vs.
21 Niall McGinn 2008– 62 5 19 November 2008 vs. 12 November 2020 vs.
22 Terry Neill 1961–1973 59 2 25 April 1961 vs. 19 May 1973 vs.
Iain Dowie 1990–1999 59 12 27 March 1990 vs. 9 September 1999 vs.
24 Oliver Norwood 2010–2018 57 0 11 August 2010 vs. 15 October 2018 vs.
Craig Cathcart 2010– 57 2 3 September 2010 vs. 18 November 2020 vs.
Josh Magennis 2010– 57 8 26 May 2010 vs. 18 November 2020 vs.
27 Danny Blanchflower 1949–1962 56 2 1 October 1949 vs. 28 November 1962 vs.
Billy Bingham 1951–1963 56 9 12 May 1951 vs. 20 November 1963 vs.
Damien Johnson 1999–2009 56 0 29 May 1999 vs. 14 October 2009 vs.
30 Jimmy McIlroy 1951–1965 55 10 6 October 1951 vs. 24 November 1965 vs.
31 Stephen Craigan 2003–2011 54 0 12 February 2003 vs. 29 March 2011 vs.
32 Allan Hunter 1969–1979 53 1 22 October 1969 vs. 21 November 1979 vs.
John McClelland 1980–1990 53 1 16 May 1980 vs. 27 March 1990 vs.
34 Alan McDonald 1985–1996 52 3 16 October 1985 vs. 27 March 1996 vs.
Jim Magilton 1991–2002 52 5 5 February 1991 vs. 27 March 2002 vs.
Stuart Dallas 2011– 52 3 27 May 2011 vs. 18 November 2020 vs.
37 Sammy Nelson 1970–1982 51 1 21 April 1970 vs. 1 July 1982 vs.
Chris Nicholl 1974–1983 51 3 30 October 1974 vs. 12 October 1983 vs.
Gerry Taggart 1990–2002 51 7 27 March 1990 vs. 12 October 2002 vs.
40 Bryan Hamilton 1968–1980 50 4 11 December 1968 vs. 18 June 1980 vs.
James Quinn 1996–2006 50 4 24 April 1996 vs. 11 October 2006 vs.

Players with an equal number of caps are ranked in chronological order of reaching the milestone.

Top goalscorers

Caps and goals updated as of 18 November 2020 after the match against  Romania

# Name NI Career Goals Caps Goals per game First Goal Last Goal
1 David Healy 2000–2013 36 95 0.38 23 February 2000 vs. 14 November 2012 vs.
2 Kyle Lafferty 2006– 20 79 0.25 16 August 2006 vs. 11 November 2016 vs.
3 Billy Gillespie 1913–1932 13 25 0.52 15 February 1913 vs. 20 October 1926 vs.
Colin Clarke 1986–1993 13 38 0.34 23 April 1986 vs. 9 September 1992 vs.
5 Joe Bambrick 1928–1940 12 11 1.09 22 October 1928 vs. 16 March 1938 vs.
Gerry Armstrong 1977–1986 12 63 0.19 16 November 1977 vs. 14 November 1984 vs.
Jimmy Quinn 1984–1995 12 46 0.26 16 October 1984 vs. 11 October 1995 vs.
Iain Dowie 1990–1999 12 59 0.20 16 October 1991 vs. 18 November 1998 vs.
Steven Davis 2005– 12 124 0.10 8 October 2005 vs. 21 March 2019 vs.
10 Olphie Stanfield 1887–1897 11 30 0.37 12 March 1887 vs. 6 March 1897 vs.
11 Jimmy McIlroy 1951–1965 10 55 0.18 6 October 1956 vs. 22 November 1961 vs.
Peter McParland 1954–1962 10 34 0.29 31 March 1954 vs. 9 November 1960 vs.
Johnny Crossan 1959–1967 10 24 0.42 28 November 1962 vs. 2 October 1965 vs.
14 Billy Bingham 1951–1963 9[note 1] 56 0.16 3 November 1954 vs. 12 October 1963 vs.
George Best 1964–1977 9 37 0.24 14 November 1964 vs. 21 April 1971 vs.
Norman Whiteside 1982–1989 9 38 0.24 21 September 1983 vs. 6 September 1989 vs.
Gareth McAuley 2005–2018 9 80 0.11 11 February 2009 vs. 11 November 2016 vs.
18 Derek Dougan 1958–1973 8 43 0.19 13 April 1961 vs. 21 April 1971 vs.
Willie Irvine 1963–1972 8 23 0.35 30 May 1963 vs. 10 September 1968 vs.
Martin O'Neill 1971–1984 8 64 0.13 28 March 1973 vs. 12 September 1984 vs.
Josh Magennis 2010– 8 57 0.14 8 October 2015 vs. 15 November 2020 vs.
22 John Peden 1887–1899 7 24 0.29 12 March 1887 vs. 19 February 1898 vs.
Billy McAdams 1954–1962 7 15 0.47 3 November 1954 vs. 25 April 1961 vs.
Sammy Wilson 1961–1967 7 12 0.58 12 October 1963 vs. 30 March 1966 vs.
Gerry Taggart 1990–2002 7 51 0.14 5 February 1991 vs. 3 June 1998 vs.

Players with an equal number of goals are ranked in chronological order of reaching the milestone.

Most captaincies

  Players still active are highlighted in green

Captaincies updated as of 18 November 2020 after the match against  Romania

# Name Captaincy Span Times Record as Captain First Captaincy Last Captaincy
W D L GF GA GD Win % Draw % Loss %
1 Steven Davis 2006– 69 2318287579-433.33%26.09%40.58% 21 May 2006 vs. 12 November 2020 vs.
2 Aaron Hughes 2002–2015 47 1218174656-1025.53%38.30%36.17% 14 April 2002 vs. 31 May 2015 vs.
3 Danny Blanchflower 1954–1962 42 1012206096-3623.81%28.57%47.62% 3 November 1954 vs. 28 November 1962 vs.
4 Terry Neill 1963–1973 38 168145853542.11%21.05%36.84% 3 April 1963 vs. 19 May 1973 vs.
5 Martin O'Neill 1980–1984 33 1211102934-536.36%33.33%30.30% 26 March 1980 vs. 14 November 1984 vs.
6 Alan McDonald 1990–1995 26 88102829-130.77%30.77%38.46% 17 May 1990 vs. 7 June 1995 vs.
7 Steve Lomas 1997–2003 22 56111426-1222.73%27.27%50.00% 10 September 1997 vs. 2 April 2003 vs.
8 Allan Hunter 1974–1979 19 6491931-1231.58%21.05%47.37% 30 October 1974 vs. 21 November 1979 vs.
Sammy McIlroy 1980–1986 19 7751515036.84%36.84%26.32% 16 May 1980 vs. 12 June 1986 vs.
10 John McClelland 1984–1990 17 4581521-623.53%29.41%47.06% 16 October 1984 vs. 27 March 1990 vs.
11 Billy Gillespie 1921–1930 14 4371927-828.57%21.43%50.00% 22 October 1921 vs. 20 October 1930 vs.
Maik Taylor 2004–2011 14 4461318-528.57%28.57%42.86% 31 March 2004 vs. 11 October 2011 vs.
13 Dave Clements 1973–1976 13 337612-623.08%23.08%53.85% 16 October 1973 vs. 27 March 1976 vs.
14 Billy Cook 1935–1939 11 2181132-2118.18%9.09%72.73% 13 November 1935 vs. 15 March 1939 vs.
Jackie Vernon 1947–1951 11 1281340-279.09%18.18%72.73% 4 October 1947 vs. 20 November 1951 vs.
Derek Dougan 1971–1973 11 42599036.36%18.18%45.45% 21 April 1971 vs. 14 February 1973 vs.
17 Billy Scott 1908–1912 10 118829-2110.00%10.00%80.00% 15 February 1908 vs. 10 February 1912 vs.
Iain Dowie 1996–1999 10 343710-330.00%40.00%30.00% 31 August 1996 vs. 29 May 1999 vs.
19 Alf McMichael 1952–1954 9 1261021-1111.11%22.22%66.67% 19 March 1952 vs. 2 October 1954 vs.
Nigel Worthington 1993–1997 9 3241414033.33%22.22%44.44% 8 September 1993 vs. 22 January 1997 vs.

Captaincy appearances are only awarded to players who were assigned the captaincy at the start of an international game.
Players with an equal number of captaincies are ranked in chronological order of reaching the milestone.

Most clean sheets

  Players still active are highlighted in green

Caps and goals updated as of 18 November 2020 after the match against  Romania

# Name NI Career Clean Sheets Caps Clean sheets per game First Clean Sheet Last Clean Sheet
1 Pat Jennings 1964–1986 45 119 0.38 29 April 1964 vs. 23 April 1986 vs.
2 Maik Taylor 1999–2011 34 88 0.39 31 March 1999 vs. 8 October 2010 vs.
3 Roy Carroll 1997–2017 18 45 0.40 21 May 1997 vs. 2 June 2017 vs.
4 Michael McGovern 2010– 16 33 0.48 30 May 2010 vs. 5 September 2019 vs.
5 Tommy Wright 1989–1999 11 31 0.35 26 April 1989 vs. 29 March 1997 vs.
6 Alan Mannus 2004–2016 7 9 0.78 6 June 2004 vs. 27 May 2016 vs.
7 Elisha Scott 1920–1936 6 31 0.19 18 April 1925 vs. 5 December 1931 vs.
Jim Platt 1976–1986 6 23 0.26 24 March 1976 vs. 15 December 1982 vs.
Alan Fettis 1991–1998 6 25 0.24 26 April 1995 vs. 10 October 1998 vs.
Bailey Peacock-Farrell 2018– 6 19 0.32 29 May 2018 vs. 16 November 2019 vs.
11 Billy Scott 1903–1913 5 25 0.20 21 March 1903 vs. 19 March 1910 vs.
12 Harry Gregg 1954–1963 4 25 0.16 10 April 1957 vs. 17 October 1961 vs.
Allen McKnight 1987–1989 4 10 0.40 11 November 1987 vs. 14 September 1988 vs.
Jonny Tuffey 2008–2011 4 8 0.50 12 August 2009 vs. 17 November 2010 vs.

A goalkeeper is awarded a clean sheet if he does not concede a goal during his time on the pitch.

Hat-tricks

The result is presented with Northern Ireland's score first.

Player Goals Date Opponent Venue Result Type of Game Ref
Olphie Stanfield 4* 7 February 1891  Wales Ulsterville, Belfast, Northern Ireland 7–2 1890–91 British Home Championship [1]
Jack Peden 3 8 April 1893  Wales Solitude, Belfast, Northern Ireland 4–3 1892–93 British Home Championship [2]
Andy Gara 3 22 February 1902  Wales Ninian Park, Cardiff, Wales 3–0 1901–02 British Home Championship [3]
Harold Sloan 3 2 April 1906  Wales Racecourse Ground, Wrexham, Wales 4–4 1905–06 British Home Championship [4]
Joe Bambrick 6* 1 February 1930  Wales Celtic Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland 7–0 1929–30 British Home Championship [5]
Billy McAdams 3 26 October 1960  West Germany Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland 3–4 1962 FIFA World Cup Group 3 Qualifier [6]
Johnny Crossan 3 7 May 1965  Albania Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland 4–1 1966 FIFA World Cup Group 5 Qualifier [7]
George Best 3 21 April 1971  Cyprus Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland 5–0 UEFA Euro 1972 Group 4 Qualifier [8]
Colin Clarke 3 11 September 1991  Faroe Islands Landskrona IP, Landskrona, Sweden[note 2] 5–0 UEFA Euro 1992 Group 4 Qualifier [9]
David Healy 3 6 September 2006  Spain Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland 3–2 UEFA Euro 2008 Group F Qualifier [10]
David Healy 3 24 March 2007  Liechtenstein Rheinpark, Vaduz, Liechtenstein 4–1 UEFA Euro 2008 Group F Qualifier [11]
More than a hat-trick scored *

Red cards

The result is presented with Northern Ireland's score first.

Player Date Opponent Venue Result Type of Game Ref
Jimmy Nicholson 17 October 1961  Greece Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland 2–0 1962 FIFA World Cup Group 3 Qualifier [12]
Billy Ferguson 22 October 1966  England Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland 0–2 1966–67 British Home Championship
UEFA Euro 1968 Group 8 Qualifier
[13]
George Best 18 April 1970  Scotland Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland 0–1 1969–70 British Home Championship [14]
George Best 18 October 1972  Bulgaria Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia, Bulgaria 0–3 1974 FIFA World Cup Group 6 Qualifier [15]
Terry Cochrane 3 June 1981  Sweden Råsunda Stadium, Stockholm, Sweden 0–1 1982 FIFA World Cup Group 6 Qualifier [16]
Mal Donaghy 25 June 1982  Spain Estadio Luis Casanova, Valencia, Spain 1–0 1982 FIFA World Cup Group 5 [17]
Phil Gray 23 March 1994  Romania Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland 2–0 International Friendly [18]
Iain Dowie 27 March 1996  Norway Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland 0–2 International Friendly [19]
Steve Lomas 27 March 2002  Liechtenstein Rheinpark, Vaduz, Liechtenstein 0–0 International Friendly [20]
James Quinn 2 April 2003  Greece Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland 0–2 UEFA Euro 2004 Group 6 Qualifier [21]
Keith Gillespie 2 April 2003  Greece Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland 0–2 UEFA Euro 2004 Group 6 Qualifier [22]
George McCartney 11 October 2003  Greece Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium, Athens, Greece 0–1 UEFA Euro 2004 Group 6 Qualifier [23]
Mark Williams 30 May 2004  Barbados Barbados National Stadium, Saint Michael, Barbados 1–1 International Friendly [24]
Michael Hughes 8 September 2004  Wales Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales 2–2 2006 FIFA World Cup Group 6 Qualifier [25]
David Healy 8 September 2004  Wales Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales 2–2 2006 FIFA World Cup Group 6 Qualifier [26]
Keith Gillespie 17 August 2005  Malta Ta' Qali National Stadium, Ta' Qali, Malta 1–1 International Friendly [27]
Damien Johnson 12 October 2005  Austria Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna, Austria 0–2 2006 FIFA World Cup Group 6 Qualifier [28]
James Quinn 26 May 2006  Romania Soldier Field, Chicago, United States 0–2 International Friendly [29]
Ryan McGivern 20 August 2008  Scotland Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland 0–0 International Friendly [30]
Adam Thompson 24 May 2011  Republic of Ireland Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Republic of Ireland 0–5 2011 Nations Cup [31]
Chris Brunt 6 September 2013  Portugal Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland 2–4 2014 FIFA World Cup Group F Qualifier [32]
Kyle Lafferty 6 September 2013  Portugal Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland 2–4 2014 FIFA World Cup Group F Qualifier [33]
Jonny Evans 11 October 2013  Azerbaijan Eighth Kilometer District Stadium, Baku, Azerbaijan 0–2 2014 FIFA World Cup Group F Qualifier [34]
Gareth McAuley 5 March 2014  Cyprus GSP Stadium, Strovolos, Cyprus 0–0 International Friendly [35]
Chris Baird 7 September 2015  Hungary Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland 1–1 UEFA Euro 2016 Group F Qualifier [36]
Josh Magennis 4 September 2020  Romania Arena Națională, Bucharest, Romania 1–1 2020–21 UEFA Nations League - Group B1 [37]

Individual and Team records

Age records

  • Youngest player to make debut: Samuel Johnston – 15 years and 154 days, 18 February 1882 vs  England
  • Oldest player to play a game: Elisha Scott – 42 years and 200 days, 11 March 1936 vs  Wales
  • Youngest player to play at World Cup finals: Norman Whiteside – 17 years and 41 days, 17 June 1982 vs  Yugoslavia
  • Oldest player to play at World Cup finals: Pat Jennings – 41 years and 0 days, 12 June 1986 vs  Brazil
  • Youngest player to score a goal: Samuel Johnston – 15 years and 161 days, 25 February 1882 vs  Wales

Goal records

Firsts

  • First International: 18 February 1882 vs  England
  • First home international: 18 February 1882 vs  England
  • First win: 12 March 1887 vs  Wales
  • First overseas opponent:  Norway, 25th May 1922
  • First win over an overseas opponent: 1 May 1957 vs  Portugal

Streaks

Biggest wins

Best Results by Northern Ireland
Date Opponent Round Result Difference
1 1 February 1930  Wales 1929–30 British Home Championship 7–0 +7
2 7 February 1891  Wales 1890–91 British Home Championship 7–2 +5
21 April 1971  Cyprus UEFA Euro 1972 Group 4 Qualifier 5–0
11 September 1991  Faroe Islands UEFA Euro 1992 Group 4 Qualifier 5–0
3 5 December 1931  Wales 1931–32 British Home Championship 4–0 +4
11 October 1995  Liechtenstein UEFA Euro 1996 Group 6 Qualifier 4–0
15 October 2008  San Marino 2010 FIFA World Cup Group 3 Qualifier 4–0
10 August 2011  Faroe Islands UEFA Euro 2012 Group C Qualifier 4–0
8 October 2016  San Marino 2018 FIFA World Cup Group 3 Qualifier 4–0
11 November 2016  Azerbaijan 2018 FIFA World Cup Group 3 Qualifier 4–0

Heaviest defeats

Worst Results by Northern Ireland
Date Opponent Round Result Difference
1 18 February 1882  England International Friendly 0–13 -13
2 18 February 1899  England 1898–99 British Home Championship 2–13 -11
3 March 1888  Wales 1887–88 British Home Championship 0–11
23 February 1901  Scotland 1900–01 British Home Championship 0–11
3 9 March 1895  England 1894–95 British Home Championship 0–9 -9
4 24 March 1888  Scotland 1887–88 British Home Championship 2–10 -8
15 March 1890  England 1889–90 British Home Championship 1–9
25 March 1899  Scotland 1898–99 British Home Championship 1–9
5 16 November 1949  England 1949–50 British Home Championship
1950 FIFA World Cup Qualifying Group 1
2–9 -7
23 February 1884  England 1883–84 British Home Championship 1–8
24 February 1883  England International Friendly 0–7
5 February 1887  England 1886–87 British Home Championship 0–7
9 March 1889  Scotland 1888–89 British Home Championship 0–7
16 November 1938  England 1938–39 British Home Championship 0–7
6 14 March 1885  Scotland 1884–85 British Home Championship 2–8 -6
11 April 1885  Wales 1884–85 British Home Championship 2–8
1 October 1949  Scotland 1949–50 British Home Championship
1950 FIFA World Cup Qualifying Group 1
2–8
25 February 1882  Wales International Friendly 1–7
9 February 1884  Wales 1883–84 British Home Championship 0–6
20 February 1897  England 1896–97 British Home Championship 0–6
2 June 2012  Netherlands International Friendly 0–6

Competition Records

FIFA World Cup

Qualification
Finals

UEFA European Championship

Qualification
Finals

UEFA Nations League

Qualification

Rankings

  • Highest FIFA Rank: 20 (September 2017)
  • Lowest FIFA Rank: 129 (September 2012)
  • Highest Elo Rank: 5 (1882)
  • Lowest Elo Rank: 114 (11 October 2013)

Performance

Performance by competition

Last updated after match against  Romania on 18 November 2020.

Competition Pld W D L GF GA GD Win % Draw % Loss %
FIFA World Cup133551323-1023.08%38.46%38.46%
FIFA World Cup qualification134433655149161-1232.09%26.89%41.05%
UEFA European Championship410323-125.00%0.00%75.00%
UEFA European Championship qualification120442749131154-2336.67%22.50%40.83%
UEFA Nations League10028618-120.00%20.00%80.00%
British Home Championship2654849168284710-42618.11%18.49%63.40%
Competitive[note 3]5281371152765711029-45825.95%21.78%52.27%
International Friendlies117303453107190-8325.64%29.06%45.30%
Minor Tournaments5005114-130.00%0.00%100.00%
Total 656 167 151 338 683 1241 -558 25.46% 23.02% 51.52%

Statistics include official FIFA recognised matches only

Performance by manager

  Current manager highlighted in green

Last updated after match against  Romania on 18 November 2020.

Manager First Game Last Game Pld W D L GF GA GD Win % Draw % Loss %
Irish FA Selection Committee 18 February 1882 vs. 12 May 1951 vs. 1772927121200568-36816.38%15.25%68.36%
Peter Doherty 6 October 1951 vs. 9 May 1962 vs. 519142867119-5217.65%27.45%54.90%
Bertie Peacock 10 October 1962 vs. 12 April 1967 vs. 28114134654-839.29%14.29%46.43%
Billy Bingham 21 October 1967 vs. 22 May 1971 vs. 208392422+240.00%15.00%45.00%
Terry Neill 22 September 1971 vs. 30 October 1974 vs. 206681618-230.00%30.00%40.00%
Dave Clements 16 April 1975 vs. 14 May 1976 vs. 11326715-827.27%18.18%54.55%
Danny Blanchflower 13 October 1976 vs. 21 November 1979 vs. 2465131938-1925.00%20.83%54.17%
Billy Bingham 26 March 1980 vs. 17 November 1993 vs. 9832313591107-1632.65%31.63%35.71%
Bryan Hamilton 23 March 1994 vs. 11 October 1997 vs. 3188153441-725.81%25.81%48.39%
Lawrie McMenemy 25 March 1998 vs. 9 October 1999 vs. 14437925-1628.57%21.43%50.00%
Sammy McIlroy 23 February 2000 vs. 2 April 2003 vs. 2957171940-2117.24%24.14%58.62%
Lawrie Sanchez 18 February 2004 vs. 28 March 2007 vs. 321110113542-734.38%31.25%34.38%
Nigel Worthington 22 August 2007 vs. 11 October 2011 vs. 41910223555-2021.95%24.39%53.66%
Michael O'Neill 29 February 2012 vs. 19 November 2019 vs. 722618287583-836.11%25.00%38.89%
Ian Baraclough 4 September 2020 vs. - 8035614-80.00%37.50%62.50%
Total 656 167 151 338 683 1241 -558 25.46% 23.02% 51.52%

Statistics include official FIFA recognised matches only

Performance by venue

Last updated after match against  Romania on 18 November 2020.

Venue Played Won Drawn Lost GF GA GD Win % Draw % Loss %
Home31310769137402532-13034.19%22.04%43.77%
Away3155676183263656-39317.78%24.13%58.10%
Neutral2846181853-3514.29%21.43%64.29%
Total 656 167 151 338 683 1241 -558 25.46% 23.02% 51.52%

Performance by confederation

Last updated after match against  Romania on 18 November 2020.

Confederation Played Won Drawn Lost GF GA GD Win % Draw % Loss %
UEFA6231571423246511202-55125.20%22.79%52.01%
CONCACAF113441213-127.27%36.36%36.36%
CONMEBOL11209616-1018.18%0.00%81.82%
CAF412155025.00%50.00%25.00%
OFC[note 4]431063+375.00%25.00%0.00%
AFC312032+133.33%66.67%0.00%

Statistics include official FIFA recognised matches only

Performance by decade

  Still active decade highlighted in green

Last updated after match against  Romania on 18 November 2020.

Decade Pld W D L GF GA GD Win % Draw % Loss %
1880s22112020139-1194.55%4.55%90.91%
1890s30542145124-7916.67%13.33%70.00%
1900s3154222483-5916.13%12.90%70.97%
1910s165382030-1031.25%18.75%50.00%
1920s3358203263-3115.15%24.24%60.61%
1930s2963203875-3720.69%10.34%68.97%
1940s112271640-2418.18%18.18%63.64%
1950s43815205489-3518.60%34.88%46.51%
1960s521682877111-3430.77%15.38%53.85%
1970s641913325380-2729.69%20.31%50.00%
1980s732324265977-1831.51%32.88%35.62%
1990s702118317596-2130.00%25.71%44.29%
2000s8423233879107-2827.38%27.38%45.24%
2010s9028224085113-2831.11%24.44%44.44%
2020s8035614-80.00%37.50%62.50%
Total 656 167 151 338 683 1241 -558 25.46% 23.02% 51.52%

Statistics include official FIFA recognised matches only

All-time records

Head to head records

All opponents of the Northern Ireland national team

Last updated after match against  Romania on 18 November 2020.

  Positive Record   Neutral Record   Negative Record

Statistics include official FIFA recognised matches only

FIFA members yet to play against Northern Ireland

Last updated after match against  Romania on 18 November 2020.

Competitive record

  Champions   Runners-up   Third Place   Fourth Place

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup finals record Qualification record Manager(s)
Year Round Pos Pld W D* L GF GA Squad Pld W D L GF GA
1930 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member None
1934
1938
1950 Did not qualify 3 0 1 2 4 17 Irish FA Committee
1954 3 1 0 2 4 7 Peter Doherty
1958 Quarter Finals 8th 5 2 1 2 6 10 Squad 4 2 1 1 6 3
1962 Did not qualify 4 1 0 3 7 8
1966 6 3 2 1 9 5 Bertie Peacock
1970 4 2 1 1 7 3 Billy Bingham
1974 6 1 3 2 5 6 Terry Neill
1978 6 2 1 3 7 6 Danny Blanchflower
1982 Round of 16 9th 5 1 3 1 5 7 Squad 8 3 3 2 6 3 Billy Bingham
1986 Group Stage 21st 3 0 1 2 2 6 Squad 8 4 2 2 8 5
1990 Did not qualify 8 2 1 5 6 12
1994 12 5 3 4 14 13
1998 10 1 4 5 6 10 Bryan Hamilton
2002 10 3 2 5 11 12 Sammy McIlroy
2006 10 2 3 5 10 18 Lawrie Sanchez
2010 10 4 3 3 13 9 Nigel Worthington
2014 10 1 4 5 9 17 Michael O'Neill
2018 12 6 2 4 17 7
2022 To be determined
2026
Total Quarter-finals 3/21 13 3 5 5 13 23 134 43 36 55 149 161
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

UEFA European Championship

UEFA European Championship record Qualification record Manager(s)
Year Round Pos Pld W D* L GF GA Squad Pld W D L GF GA
1960 Did not enter Did not enter None
1964 Did not qualify 4 2 1 1 5 2 Bertie Peacock
1968 6 1 1 4 2 8 Bertie Peacock, Billy Bingham[note 5]
1972 6 2 2 2 10 6 Billy Bingham, Terry Neill[note 6]
1976 6 3 0 3 8 5 Terry Neill, Dave Clements[note 7]
1980 8 4 1 3 8 14 Danny Blanchflower
1984 8 5 1 2 8 5 Billy Bingham
1988 6 1 1 4 2 10
1992 8 2 3 3 11 11
1996 10 5 2 3 20 15 Bryan Hamilton
2000 8 1 2 5 4 19 Lawrie McMenemy
2004 8 0 3 5 0 8 Sammy McIlroy
2008 12 6 2 4 17 14 Lawrie Sanchez, Nigel Worthington[note 8]
2012 10 2 3 5 9 13 Nigel Worthington
2016 Round of 16 16th 4 1 0 3 2 3 Squad 10 6 3 1 16 8 Michael O'Neill
2020 Did not qualify 10 4 2 4 11 16 Michael O'Neill, Ian Baraclough[note 9]
2024 To be determined
Total Round of 16 1/16 4 1 0 3 2 3 120 44 27 49 131 154
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

UEFA Nations League

UEFA Nations League record Manager(s)
Year Division Group Pld W D L GF GA P/R RK
2018–19 B 3 40042724th Michael O'Neill
2020–21 B 1 602441132nd Ian Baraclough
2022–23 C To Be Determined
Total 10 0 2 8 6 18 24th

British Home Championship

British Home Championship record
Year Round Pos Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1883–84Fourth place4th3003119-180
1884–85Fourth place4th3003420-160
1885–86Fourth place4th3003318-150
1886–87Third place3rd3102512-72
1887–88Fourth place4th3003326-230
1888–89Fourth place4th3003216-140
1889–90Fourth place4th3003418-140
1890–91Third place3rd3102910-12
1891–92Third place3rd301236-31
1892–93Third place3rd3102615-92
1893–94Fourth place4th301248-41
1894–95Fourth place4th3012314-111
1895–96Fourth place4th3012411-71
1896–97Third place3rd3102514-92
1897–98Third place3rd310236-32
1898–99Third place3rd3102422-182
1899–00Fourth place4th300307-70
1900–01Fourth place4th3003015-150
1901–02Third place3rd310246-22
1902–03Champions1st=32014404
1903–04Runners-up2nd311134-13
1904–05Fourth place4th302137-42
1905–06Fourth place4th3012410-61
1906–07Fourth place4th300327-50
1907–08Third place3rd310228-62
1908–09Fourth place4th3003212-100
1909–10Third place3rd311135-23
1910–11Fourth place4th300326-40
1911–12Third place3rd3102512-72
1912–13Fourth place4th310234-12
1913–14Champions1st321062+45
1919–20Fourth place4th302136-32
1920–21Fourth place4th300316-50
1921–22Fourth place4th302134-12
1922–23Third place3rd31023302
1923–24Third place3rd310224-22
1924–25Fourth place4th301216-51
1925–26Runners-up2nd311134-13
1926–27Third place3rd302157-22
1927–28Runners-up2nd320142+24
1928–29Fourth place4th3012611-51
1929–30Third place3rd310286+22
1930–31Fourth place4th301238-51
1931–32Third place3rd310279-22
1932–33Fourth place4th300319-80
1933–34Third place3rd311135-23
1934–35Third place3rd310246-22
1935–36Fourth place4th310257-22
1936–37Fourth place4th3003310-70
1937–38Third place3rd311136-33
1938–39Fourth place4th3003112-110
1946–47Runners-up2nd311148-43
1947–48Third place3rd31114403
1948–49Fourth place4th3003411-70
1949–50Fourth place4th3012417-131
1950–51Fourth place4th3003312-90
1951–52Fourth place4th300308-80
1952–53Third place3rd302156-12
1953–54Third place3rd310247-32
1954–55Fourth place4th301247-31
1955–56Champions1st=311135-23
1956–57Third place3rd302112-12
1957–58Champions1st=312054+14
1958–59Champions1st=312096+34
1959–60Fourth place4th300339-60
1960–61Fourth place4th3003515-100
1961–62Fourth place4th3012211-91
1962–63Fourth place4th3003312-90
1963–64Champions1st=3201811-34
1964–65Fourth place4th3003512-70
1965–66Runners-up2nd320185+34
1966–67Fourth place4th301214-31
1967–68Fourth place4th310214-32
1968–69Third place3rd302124-22
1969–70Fourth place4th300315-40
1970–71Runners-up2nd320121+14
1971–72Third place3rd311112-13
1972–73Runners-up2nd320143+14
1973–74Third place3rd310212-12
1974–75Third place3rd311113-23
1975–76Fourth place4th300308-80
1976–77Fourth place4th301226-41
1977–78Fourth place4th301213-21
1978–79Fourth place4th301214-31
1979–80Champions1st321031+25
1980–81Cancelled[note 10]100102-20
1981–82Fourth place4th301218-71
1982–83Third place3rd302101-12
1983–84Champions1st311132+13
Total 8/88 8 Titles 265 48 49 168 284 710 -426 145

Minor tournaments

Year Round Pos Pld W D L GF GA GD
1995 Canada CupGroup stage3rd200214-3
2011 Nations CupGroup stage4th3003010-10
Total 5 0 0 5 1 14 -13

Honours

Titles

FIFA Rankings

Last updated 16 July 2020

Northern Ireland's Historical FIFA Ranking and Points Total
Year January February March April May June July August September October November December
Pos (Pts) Pos (Pts) Pos (Pts) Pos (Pts) Pos (Pts) Pos (Pts) Pos (Pts) Pos (Pts) Pos (Pts) Pos (Pts) Pos (Pts) Pos (Pts)
199243 (31)
199340 (37)40 (37)42 (36)42 (37)39 (38)
199439 (38)38 (38)42 (36)35 (39)33 (41)41 (37)39 (37)39 (37)45 (35)39 (38)44 (37)45 (37)
199545 (37)50 (37)50 (37)54 (35)52 (36)53 (35)54 (36)55 (35)45 (35)46 (38)46 (39)45 (39)
199648 (38)51 (38)51 (38)57 (36)60 (34)60 (34)60 (36)63 (35)65 (35)74 (34)75 (34)64 (37)
199764 (37)68 (37)68 (37)63 (40)63 (40)69 (39)69 (39)71 (39)72 (38)75 (38)83 (36)93 (34)
199893 (34)99 (31)98 (31)92 (32)90 (33)90 (33)88 (32)90 (32)94 (31)87 (34)88 (34)86 (35)
199967 (467)67 (465)67 (463)69 (459)69 (455)69 (462)71 (460)71 (459)71 (456)78 (441)80 (435)84 (427)
200084 (427)88 (425)88 (431)87 (435)92 (426)95 (414)95 (410)98 (404)96 (425)91 (438)90 (440)93 (437)
200194 (437)94 (436)96 (433)98 (430)101 (423)105 (420)106 (413)107 (411)97 (446)90 (465)90 (465)88 (465)
200289 (465)92 (463)92 (462)91 (462)90 (455)90 (455)89 (448)90 (444)98 (420)98 (428)100 (422)103 (413)
2003106 (413)107 (411)107 (409)111 (404)111 (399)110 (408)110 (403)112 (395)111 (404)118 (393)118 (389)122 (383)
2004124 (383)124 (382)124 (379)115 (400)114 (404)110 (421)112 (425)110 (424)109 (428)110 (432)107 (442)107 (443)
2005109 (442)111 (441)111 (439)113 (435)114 (430)114 (425)112 (418)116 (410)101 (464)104 (451)101 (460)103 (461)
2006103 (460)102 (463)98 (472)96 (471)96 (469)96 (469)75 (425)72 (425)58 (486)45 (600)48 (625)48 (625)
200747 (625)49 (602)47 (615)33 (742)33 (742)29 (838)28 (838)27 (886)36 (707)36 (716)32 (780)32 (780)
200832 (780)34 (754)34 (763)34 (704)34 (704)32 (752)33 (750)32 (750)32 (761)35 (721)42 (670)52 (580)
200952 (580)49 (593)42 (619)27 (795)27 (795)27 (820)32 (784)32 (784)31 (795)30 (775)39 (737)40 (729)
201040 (729)39 (748)50 (628)57 (555)56 (566)56 (566)59 (540)59 (540)45 (638)41 (627)42 (627)43 (615)
201143 (615)38 (615)40 (605)65 (520)65 (520)62 (498)62 (498)59 (545)70 (477)84 (421)89 (403)88 (403)
201287 (403)86 (412)87 (400)100 (338)100 (338)103 (336)102 (336)101 (336)129 (257)117 (287)100 (356)96 (367)
201398 (367)102 (354)97 (367)119 (285)119 (285)116 (304)111 (307)109 (307)86 (431)90 (399)90 (381)89 (381)
201490 (381)85 (397)86 (388)84 (400)84 (400)90 (381)89 (356)95 (341)71 (435)43 (625)47 (615)48 (615)
201547 (615)51 (626)43 (679)42 (672)42 (672)44 (676)37 (721)40 (721)41 (687)35 (724)29 (797)30 (825)
201630 (825)29 (825)28 (833)26 (825)26 (825)25 (851)28 (822)28 (822)30 (798)36 (739)32 (767)32 (767)
201732 (767)35 (772)35 (786)26 (823)26 (823)28 (837)22 (897)23 (897)20 (945)23 (889)24 (867)24 (867)
201825 (867)26 (867)24 (879)27 (837)27 (837)29 (803)29 (1887)27 (1492)28 (1487)34 (1472)35 (1465)35 (1465)
201935 (1465)36 (1465)36 (1465)33 (1481)28 (1496)28 (1496)29 (1496)29 (1496)33 (1488)34 (1483)36 (1476)36 (1476)
202036 (1476)36 (1476)36 (1476)36 (1476)36 (1476)36 (1476)36 (1476)36 (1476) (–) (–) (–) (–)
Table Key Highest position Lowest position Ranking formula adjusted

Notes

    1. Some sources list Bingham as having scored ten goals, but a goal against Spain in 1958 credited to him was more likely scored by Wilbur Cush.
    2. Match played in Sweden as the Faroe Islands did not have a UEFA-approved grass pitch arena.
    3. 12 games of the British Home Championship doubled as qualification games for the World Cup and European championship: Each game is counted in both applicable lines, but only counts once towards the subtotal.
    4. Includes matches against Australia until their move to AFC in 2006.
    5. Bertie Peacock managed for the first three qualifying matches. Billy Bingham managed the remainder of the qualification campaign.
    6. Billy Bingham managed for the first three qualifying matches. Terry Neill managed the remainder of the qualification campaign.
    7. Terry Neill managed for the first two qualifying matches. Dave Clements managed the remainder of the qualification campaign.
    8. Lawrie Sanchez managed for the first six qualifying matches. Nigel Worthington managed the remainder of the qualification campaign.
    9. Michael O'Neill managed the team for the eight qualifying group stage matches. Ian Baraclough managed the team in the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying play-offs.
    10. The 1980–81 British Home Championship was cancelled due to The Troubles.

    References

    1. "Ireland Game 1891".
    2. "Ireland Game 1893".
    3. "Ireland Game 1902".
    4. "Ireland Game 1906".
    5. "Ireland Game 1930".
    6. "Northern Ireland vs. West Germany 1960".
    7. "Northern Ireland vs. Albania 1965".
    8. "Northern Ireland vs. Cyprus 1971".
    9. "Faroe Islands vs. Northern Ireland 1991".
    10. "Northern Ireland vs. Spain 2006".
    11. "Liechtenstein vs. Northern Ireland 2007".
    12. "Northern Ireland vs Greece football match, 17 October 1961".
    13. "Northern Ireland vs England football match, 22 October 1966".
    14. "Northern Ireland vs Scotland football match, 18 April 1970".
    15. "Bulgaria vs Northern Ireland football match, 18 October 1972".
    16. "Sweden vs Northern Ireland football match, 3 June 1981".
    17. "Spain vs Northern Ireland football match, 25 June 1982".
    18. "Northern Ireland vs Romania football match, 23 March 1994".
    19. "Northern Ireland vs Norway football match, 27 March 1996".
    20. "Liechtenstein vs Northern Ireland football match, 27 March 2002".
    21. "Northern Ireland vs Greece football match, 2 April 2003".
    22. "Northern Ireland vs Greece football match, 2 April 2003".
    23. "Greece vs Northern Ireland football match, 11 October 2003".
    24. "Barbados vs Northern Ireland football match, 30 May 2004".
    25. "Wales vs Northern Ireland football match, 8 September 2004".
    26. "Wales vs Northern Ireland football match, 8 September 2004".
    27. "Malta vs Northern Ireland football match, 17 August 2005".
    28. "Austria vs Northern Ireland football match, 12 October 2005".
    29. "Romania vs Northern Ireland football match, 26 May 2006".
    30. "Scotland vs Northern Ireland football match, 20 August 2008".
    31. "Rep. of Ireland vs Northern Ireland football match, 24 May 2011".
    32. "Northern Ireland vs Portugal football match, 6 September 2013".
    33. "Northern Ireland vs Portugal football match, 6 September 2013".
    34. "Azerbaijan vs Northern Ireland football match, 11 October 2013".
    35. "Cyprus vs Northern Ireland football match, 5 March 2014".
    36. "Northern Ireland vs Hungary football match, 7 September 2015".
    37. "Romania vs Northern Ireland football match, 4 September 2020".
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