Northern Ireland U19s Secure Spot in UEFA Euro 2026 Elite Qualifiers

Crucial Victory Against Azerbaijan

Northern Ireland's Under-19 national football team has successfully secured its place in the elite round of the UEFA U19 Euro 2026 qualifiers. This significant achievement came after a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Azerbaijan on November 15, 2025. The decisive goal was scored by Braiden Graham in the 33rd minute of the match. The game was held at the Centenary Stadium in Ta'Qali, Malta, which is hosting all Group 13 fixtures.

Qualifying Campaign Overview

Under the guidance of coach Gareth McAuley, the Northern Ireland U19s have displayed strong form in the qualifying round. Their campaign in Group 13 began with another 1-0 win against hosts Malta on November 12, 2025, where James Simpson found the back of the net in the 25th minute. The group also includes Czechia, whom Northern Ireland is scheduled to face in their final group stage match on November 18, 2025.

The Road Ahead: Elite Round and Finals

By finishing at least second in their group, Northern Ireland has earned a spot in the elite round. The structure of the UEFA U19 Euro 2026 qualification involves:

• Qualifying Round: 13 groups of four teams.
• Elite Round Qualification: The top two teams from each of the 13 groups, along with the best third-placed team, will advance. These 28 teams will join top seeds Spain in the elite round draw, scheduled for December 10.
• Elite Round: This stage, taking place in spring 2026, will consist of seven groups of four teams. The seven group winners will then qualify for the final tournament.
• Finals: The UEFA U19 Euro 2026 finals will be hosted by Wales from June 28 to July 11, 2026, with seven nations joining them.

Northern Ireland's progression marks a significant step towards potentially competing in the prestigious European championship finals.