Wales vs Northern Ireland in an international friendly Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Cardiff City Stadium. Wales and Northern Ireland meet in Cardiff just days after both teams saw their World Cup dreams end in the World Cup play-off heartbreaks.
Northern Ireland advanced through the Nations League play-off path and are chasing their first World Cup appearance since the 1986 FIFA World Cup. Wales last played in the 2022 World Cup but didn’t qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Cymru lost to Bosnia and Herzegovina on penalties, while Northern Ireland fell 2-0 to Italy, so this friendly has a strange mix of disappointment and reset energy around it.
It is the first meeting between the two nations in a decade, which adds a little extra edge to an otherwise low-key spring international.
Wales vs Northern Ireland – Match Details, Date, Time, Predictions, Lineups & More
- Match: Wales vs Northern Ireland.
- Tournament: International Friendly.
- Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
- Time: 7:45 PM local time in Cardiff / 2:45 PM ET.
- Stadium: Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff.
Team News and Analysis
Wales
Craig Bellamy’s Wales are already looking beyond the play-off disappointment and into the next UEFA Nations League cycle, but this match still matters because it gives him another chance to test combinations at home.
FAW’s squad update confirms that Rubin Colwill and Jordan James have returned to their clubs for further medical assessment, while the wider March squad also had Ben Davies, Chris Mepham, and Kieffer Moore unavailable through injury.
That leaves Wales with a younger, more flexible attacking group. Sorba Thomas is expected to start after coming off the bench against Bosnia, and Racing Post’s projected XI points toward a team built around Ethan Ampadu, Josh Sheehan, Nathan Broadhead, Liam Cullen, and Mark Harris. On home turf, Wales should try to play on the front foot and use the Cardiff crowd to set the tempo early.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland arrive with their own adjustments. Michael O’Neill has confirmed that goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell, defenders Ruairi McConville and Paddy McNair, plus midfielder Ali McCann have returned to their clubs and will not be involved, and no replacements were called up.
Even so, the revised squad still includes players such as Conor Hazard, Pierce Charles, Trai Hume, Eoin Toal, Shea Charles, Isaac Price, Ethan Galbraith, Jamie Donley, Callum Marshall, and Josh Magennis.
That makes Northern Ireland a team that may lean on structure, energy, and counterattacks rather than pure control. Racing Post’s projected lineup suggests a three-man back line and a younger attacking shape, with Callum Marshall and Dion Charles leading the line. Against Wales away from home, Northern Ireland will probably look to stay compact and try to punish mistakes rather than dominate possession.
Head-to-Head Statistics
The recent head-to-head record is fairly balanced, but Wales have had the better of the most important moments. Wales’ 1-0 win at Euro 2016, a 1-1 draw in a 2016 friendly, and Wales victories in 2011 and 2005, while Northern Ireland’s last result in the sequence was the 0-0 draw in 2007.
| Competition | Date | Result |
|---|---|---|
| UEFA Euro 2016 | June 25, 2016 | Wales 1–0 Northern Ireland |
| International Friendly | March 24, 2016 | Wales 1–1 Northern Ireland |
| Carling Nations Cup | May 27, 2011 | Northern Ireland 0–2 Wales |
| International Friendly | February 6, 2007 | Northern Ireland 0–0 Wales |
| World Cup Qualifying | October 8, 2005 | Northern Ireland 2–3 Wales |
Wales vs Northern Ireland Starting XI
Wales (4-2-3-1): Ward; Kpakio, Cabango, Lawlor, Dasilva; Ampadu, Sheehan; Broadhead, Cullen, Thomas; Harris. This is Racing Post’s predicted lineup, not an official team sheet.
Northern Ireland (3-5-2): Charles; Hume, McConville, Toal; Smyth, Saville, McDonnell, Shea Charles, Devenny; Marshall, Dion Charles. This is also a projected lineup from Racing Post, not a confirmed XI.
Key Players to Watch
Wales: Harry Wilson, Brennan Johnson, Dan James, Ethan Ampadu, Sorba Thomas. FAW’s squad list shows Wilson, Johnson, and James as key attacking options, while Ampadu remains the midfield anchor.
Northern Ireland: Trai Hume, Isaac Price, Shea Charles, Jamie Donley, Callum Marshall. With several senior players absent, these younger names become even more important for Northern Ireland’s shape and threat.
Match Prediction
This should be tight and probably not a high-scoring game. Wales have home advantage and a slightly stronger attacking ceiling, while Northern Ireland’s squad changes make them harder to read but also a little less settled.
Wales to edge it feels like the safest call. Prediction: Wales 2-1 Northern Ireland. That is an inference based on the official squad updates, home advantage, and the latest projected lineups.
Where to Watch Wales vs Northern Ireland
The match will be broadcast across the following BBC and S4C regional and national channels:
- BBC Three: National coverage for all UK viewers.
- BBC One Wales: Regional coverage specifically for viewers in Wales.
- BBC One Northern Ireland: Regional coverage for viewers in Northern Ireland.
- S4C: Provides Welsh-language coverage for viewers across the UK.
When is Wales vs Northern Ireland?
Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
What time does it kick off?
7:45 PM in Cardiff, which is 2:45 PM ET.
Where is the match being played?
Cardiff City Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.
Where can I watch it?
BBC One Wales, BBC Two Northern Ireland, and BBC Three in the UK.
Who is the favorite team?
Wales are a slight favorite at home, but Northern Ireland’s recent squad changes keep this close. That is an inference based on the official lineups and betting context.
