Northern Ireland at the FIFA World Cup

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The Northern Ireland national football team have appeared in the finals of the FIFA World Cup on three occasions.

Contents

Their best World Cup performance was in their first appearance in the finals, the 1958 World Cup, where they reached the quarter-finals after beating Czechoslovakia 2–1 in the play-off. They were knocked out by France, losing 4–0. In the 1958 competition Northern Ireland became the least populous country to have qualified for the World Cup, a record that stood until Trinidad & Tobago qualified for the 2006 World Cup. Northern Ireland remains, however, the least populous country to have qualified for more than one World Cup finals tournament, to win a World Cup finals match, to have scored at a World Cup finals, and to have progressed from the first round of the World Cup finals.

Captain of the national side at the 1958 World Cup was Danny Blanchflower, who also captained Tottenham Hotspur in the English league and was twice footballer of the year in England. His younger brother Jackie was also a key member of the national team, and won two league titles in England with Manchester United, until his career was ended by injuries suffered in the Munich air disaster of February 1958.

Despite the presence of world class forward George Best, another Manchester United player, for most of the 1960s and into the 1970s, Northern Ireland failed to qualify for any major tournaments during this time.

Northern Ireland also qualified for the 1982 World Cup. Their opening game was against Yugoslavia at the La Romareda in Zaragoza. It was the international debut of 17-year-old Norman Whiteside who became the youngest player ever in the World Cup finals, a record that still stands. The game finished goalless. Five days later they drew 1–1 with Honduras, which was a disappointment, and many believed had doomed Northern Ireland's chances of advancing in the competition. [1] They needed a win against hosts Spain in the third and final group game at the Mestalla Stadium in Valencia. They faced a partisan atmosphere with a mostly Spanish crowd and a Spanish speaking referee in Héctor Ortiz who was unwilling to punish dirty play from the Spanish players. [2] However a mistake from goalkeeper Luis Arconada gifted Gerry Armstrong the only goal of the game, and despite having Mal Donaghy sent off on 60 minutes, Northern Ireland went on to record an historic 1–0 win and top the first stage group.

A 2–2 draw with Austria at the Vicente Calderón Stadium meant that a win against France would take them into the semi-finals, however a French team inspired by Michel Platini won 4–1 and eliminated Northern Ireland from the competition.

In the 1986 World Cup, they reached the first round. Billy Bingham, a member of the 1958 squad, was manager for both of these tournaments.

Record at the FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup record
YearRoundPositionPldWD*LGFGA
Flag of Uruguay.svg 1930 Did not enter
Flag of Italy (1861-1946).svg 1934
Flag of France.svg 1938
Flag of Brazil (1889-1960).svg 1950 Did not qualify
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg 1954
Flag of Sweden.svg 1958 Quarter-finals8th5212610
Flag of Chile.svg 1962 Did not qualify
Flag of England.svg 1966
Flag of Mexico.svg 1970
Flag of Germany.svg 1974
Flag of Argentina.svg 1978
Flag of Spain.svg 1982 Second round9th513157
Flag of Mexico.svg 1986 Group stage21st301226
Flag of Italy.svg 1990 Did not qualify
Flag of the United States.svg 1994
Flag of France (lighter variant).svg 1998
Flag of South Korea (1997-2011).svg Flag of Japan.svg 2002
Flag of Germany.svg 2006
Flag of South Africa.svg 2010
Flag of Brazil.svg 2014
Flag of Russia.svg 2018
Flag of Qatar.svg 2022
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Flag of Mexico.svg Flag of the United States.svg 2026 To be determined
Flag of Morocco.svg Flag of Portugal.svg Flag of Spain.svg 2030
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg 2034
TotalQuarter-finals3/22133551323
*Denotes draws including knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

By Match

World CupRoundOpponentScoreResultVenueScorers
1958 Group stageFlag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czechoslovakia 1–0 W Halmstad W. Cush
Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina 1–3 L Halmstad P. McParland
Flag of Germany.svg  West Germany 2–2 D Malmö P. McParland (2)
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czechoslovakia 2–1 (a.e.t.)W Malmö P. McParland (2)
Quarter-finalsFlag of France.svg  France 0–4 L Norrköping
1982 Group stageFlag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg  Yugoslavia 0–0 D Zaragoza
Flag of Honduras (1949-2022).svg  Honduras 1–1 D Zaragoza G. Armstrong
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 1–0 W Valencia G. Armstrong
Second roundFlag of Austria.svg  Austria 2–2 D Madrid B. Hamilton (2)
Flag of France (lighter variant).svg  France 1–4 L Madrid G. Armstrong
1986 Group stageFlag of Algeria.svg  Algeria 1–1 D Guadalajara N. Whiteside
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 1–2 L Guadalajara C. Clarke
Flag of Brazil (1968-1992).svg  Brazil 0–3 L Guadalajara

Record by Opponent

FIFA World Cup matches (by team)
OpponentWinsDrawsLossesTotalGoals ScoredGoals Conceded
Flag of Algeria.svg  Algeria 010111
Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina 001113
Flag of Austria.svg  Austria 010122
Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil 001103
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czechoslovakia 200231
Flag of France.svg  France 002218
Flag of Honduras.svg  Honduras 010111
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 101222
Flag of Germany.svg  West Germany 010122
Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg  Yugoslavia 010100

Northern Ireland at Sweden 1958

First round

Group 1

TeamPldWDLGFGAGAvPts
Flag of Germany.svg  West Germany 3120751.404
Ulster Banner.svg  Northern Ireland 3111450.803
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czechoslovakia 3111842.003
Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina 31025100.502
Northern Ireland  Ulster Banner.svg1 0Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czechoslovakia
Cush Soccerball shade.svg21' Report
Attendance: 10,647
Referee: Seipelt (Austria)

Argentina  Flag of Argentina.svg3 1Ulster Banner.svg  Northern Ireland
Corbatta Soccerball shade.svg37' (pen.)
Menéndez Soccerball shade.svg56'
Avio Soccerball shade.svg60'
Report McParland Soccerball shade.svg4'
Attendance: 14,174
Referee: Ahlner (Sweden)
Play-off
Northern Ireland  Ulster Banner.svg2–1 (a.e.t.)Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czechoslovakia
McParland Soccerball shade.svg44', 97' Report Zikán Soccerball shade.svg18'
Attendance: 6,196
Referee: Guigue (France)

West Germany  Flag of Germany.svg2 2Ulster Banner.svg  Northern Ireland
Rahn Soccerball shade.svg20'
Seeler Soccerball shade.svg78'
Report McParland Soccerball shade.svg18', 60'
Attendance: 21,990
Referee: Campos (Portugal)

Quarter-final 1958 World Cup

France  Flag of France.svg4 0Ulster Banner.svg  Northern Ireland
Wisnieski Soccerball shade.svg22'
Fontaine Soccerball shade.svg55', 63'
Piantoni Soccerball shade.svg68'
Report
Attendance: 12,000
Referee: Gardeazabal (Spain)

Northern Ireland at 1982 World Cup

Squad

Head coach: Billy Bingham

No.Pos.PlayerDate of birth (age)CapsClub
11 GK Pat Jennings (1945-06-12)12 June 1945 (aged 37) Flag of England.svg Arsenal
22 DF Jimmy Nicholl (1956-02-28)28 February 1956 (aged 26) Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Toronto Blizzard
32 DF Mal Donaghy (1957-09-13)13 September 1957 (aged 24) Flag of England.svg Luton Town
43 MF David McCreery (1957-09-16)16 September 1957 (aged 24) Flag of the United States.svg Tulsa Roughnecks
52 DF Chris Nicholl (1946-10-12)12 October 1946 (aged 35) Flag of England.svg Southampton
62 DF John O'Neill (1958-03-11)11 March 1958 (aged 24) Flag of England.svg Leicester City
73 MF Noel Brotherston (1956-11-18)18 November 1956 (aged 25) Flag of England.svg Blackburn Rovers
83 MF Martin O'Neill (c) (1952-03-01)1 March 1952 (aged 30) Flag of England.svg Norwich City
94 FW Gerry Armstrong (1954-05-23)23 May 1954 (aged 28) Flag of England.svg Watford
103 MF Sammy McIlroy (1954-08-02)2 August 1954 (aged 27) Flag of England.svg Stoke City
114 FW Billy Hamilton (1957-05-09)9 May 1957 (aged 25) Flag of England.svg Burnley
122 DF John McClelland (1955-12-07)7 December 1955 (aged 26) Flag of Scotland.svg Rangers
132 DF Sammy Nelson (1949-04-01)1 April 1949 (aged 33) Flag of England.svg Brighton
143 MF Tommy Cassidy (1950-11-18)18 November 1950 (aged 31) Flag of England.svg Burnley
153 MF Tommy Finney (1952-11-06)6 November 1952 (aged 29) Flag of England.svg Cambridge United
163 MF Norman Whiteside (1965-05-07)7 May 1965 (aged 17) Flag of England.svg Manchester United
171 GK Jim Platt (1952-01-26)26 January 1952 (aged 30) Flag of England.svg Middlesbrough
183 MF Johnny Jameson (1958-03-11)11 March 1958 (aged 24) Ulster Banner.svg Glentoran
194 FW Felix Healy (1955-09-27)27 September 1955 (aged 26) Ulster Banner.svg Coleraine
203 MF Jim Cleary (1956-05-27)27 May 1956 (aged 26) Ulster Banner.svg Glentoran
214 FW Bobby Campbell (1956-09-13)13 September 1956 (aged 25) Flag of England.svg Bradford City
221 GK George Dunlop (1956-01-16)16 January 1956 (aged 26) Ulster Banner.svg Linfield

Matches

Yugoslavia  Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg0–0Ulster Banner.svg  Northern Ireland
Report
La Romareda, Zaragoza
Attendance: 25,000
Referee: Erik Fredriksson (Sweden)

Honduras  Flag of Honduras (1949-2022).svg1–1Ulster Banner.svg  Northern Ireland
Laing Soccerball shade.svg60' Report Armstrong Soccerball shade.svg10'
La Romareda, Zaragoza
Attendance: 15,000
Referee: Chan Tam Sun (Hong Kong)

Spain  Flag of Spain.svg0–1Ulster Banner.svg  Northern Ireland
Report Armstrong Soccerball shade.svg47'
Estadio Luis Casanova, Valencia
Attendance: 49,562
Referee: Héctor Ortiz (Paraguay)

Austria  Flag of Austria.svg2–2Ulster Banner.svg  Northern Ireland
Pezzey Soccerball shade.svg50'
Hintermaier Soccerball shade.svg68'
Report Hamilton Soccerball shade.svg27', 75'

Northern Ireland  Ulster Banner.svg1–4Flag of France (lighter variant).svg  France
Armstrong Soccerball shade.svg75' Report Giresse Soccerball shade.svg33', 80'
Rocheteau Soccerball shade.svg46', 68'
Estadio Vicente Calderón, Madrid
Attendance: 37,000
Referee: Alojzy Jarguz (Poland)

Northern Ireland at 1986 World Cup

Squad

Head coach: Billy Bingham

No.Pos.PlayerDate of birth (age)CapsClub
11 GK Pat Jennings (1945-06-12)12 June 1945 (aged 40) Flag of England.svg Tottenham Hotspur
22 DF Jimmy Nicholl (1956-12-28)28 December 1956 (aged 29) Flag of England.svg West Bromwich Albion
32 DF Mal Donaghy (1957-09-13)13 September 1957 (aged 28) Flag of England.svg Luton Town
42 DF John O'Neill (1958-03-11)11 March 1958 (aged 28) Flag of England.svg Leicester City
52 DF Alan McDonald (1963-10-12)12 October 1963 (aged 22) Flag of England.svg Queens Park Rangers
63 MF David McCreery (1957-09-16)16 September 1957 (aged 28) Flag of England.svg Newcastle United
73 MF Steve Penney (1964-01-16)16 January 1964 (aged 22) Flag of England.svg Brighton
83 MF Sammy McIlroy (c) (1954-08-02)2 August 1954 (aged 31) Flag of England.svg Manchester City
94 FW Jimmy Quinn (1959-11-18)18 November 1959 (aged 26) Flag of England.svg Blackburn Rovers
103 MF Norman Whiteside (1965-05-07)7 May 1965 (aged 21) Flag of England.svg Manchester United
114 FW Ian Stewart (1961-09-10)10 September 1961 (aged 24) Flag of England.svg Newcastle United
121 GK Jim Platt (1952-01-26)26 January 1952 (aged 34) Ulster Banner.svg Coleraine
131 GK Philip Hughes (1964-11-19)19 November 1964 (aged 21) Flag of England.svg Bury
144 FW Gerry Armstrong (1954-05-23)23 May 1954 (aged 32) Flag of England.svg Tottenham Hotspur
153 MF Nigel Worthington (1961-11-04)4 November 1961 (aged 24) Flag of England.svg Sheffield Wednesday
163 MF Paul Ramsey (1962-09-03)3 September 1962 (aged 23) Flag of England.svg Leicester City
174 FW Colin Clarke (1962-10-30)30 October 1962 (aged 23) Flag of England.svg Bournemouth
182 DF John McClelland (1955-12-07)7 December 1955 (aged 30) Flag of England.svg Watford
194 FW Billy Hamilton (1957-05-09)9 May 1957 (aged 29) Flag of England.svg Oxford United
202 DF Bernard McNally (1963-02-17)17 February 1963 (aged 23) Flag of England.svg Shrewsbury Town
213 MF David Campbell (1965-06-02)2 June 1965 (aged 20) Flag of England.svg Nottingham Forest
224 FW Mark Caughey (1960-08-31)31 August 1960 (aged 25) Ulster Banner.svg Linfield

Matches

Algeria  Flag of Algeria.svg1 1Ulster Banner.svg  Northern Ireland
Zidane Soccerball shade.svg59' Report Whiteside Soccerball shade.svg6'

Northern Ireland  Ulster Banner.svg1 2Flag of Spain.svg  Spain
Clarke Soccerball shade.svg46' Report Butragueño Soccerball shade.svg1'
Salinas Soccerball shade.svg18'

Northern Ireland  Ulster Banner.svg0 3Flag of Brazil (1968-1992).svg  Brazil
Report Careca Soccerball shade.svg15', 87'
Josimar Soccerball shade.svg42'

Record players

One of Northern Ireland's record World Cup players, Norman Whiteside, also holds the record for the youngest player ever to appear in the tournament. When he was fielded against Yugoslavia, he was only 17 years and 41 days old.

RankPlayerMatchesWorld Cups
1 Billy Hamilton 81982 and 1986
David McCreery 81982 and 1986
Sammy McIlroy 81982 and 1986
Jimmy Nicholl 81982 and 1986
Norman Whiteside 81982 and 1986
6 Mal Donaghy 71982 and 1986
Pat Jennings 71982 and 1986
8 Gerry Armstrong 61982 and 1986
9Eleven players5

Top goalscorers

RankPlayerGoalsWorld Cups
1 Peter McParland 51958
2 Gerry Armstrong 31982
3 Billy Hamilton 21982
4 Wilbur Cush 11958
Colin Clarke 11986
Norman Whiteside 11986

See also

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References

  1. Whiteside, Norman (2007). Determined. Headline Publishing Group. p. 129. ISBN   978-0-7553-1598-7.
  2. Whiteside, Norman (2007). Determined. Headline Publishing Group. p. 135. ISBN   978-0-7553-1598-7.