Northern Ireland vs Hungary – News and Probable Lineups

Northern Ireland will aim to secure consecutive victories in the Nations League as they face Hungary at Windsor Park this coming Monday evening.

Michael O’Neill’s squad kicked off their campaign with a thrilling 1-0 win against Georgia, whereas Hungary experienced a narrowly disappointing loss to Ukraine in their first fixture of Group B.

Match overview

Northern Ireland enjoyed a fantastic start to their Nations League journey, clinching a 1-0 away win against Georgia, thanks to Shea Charles’ dramatic winner in the dying moments of the match.

This marked their first-ever away success in the Nations League and represented their inaugural victory at League B level, following their promotion from League C during the 2024-25 campaign.

Charles, who became the highest-priced Northern Irish player following his summer transfer to Fulham, had found the net only once in his previous 35 matches before he scored the decisive goal against a Georgia side that has since dismissed their manager.

His sibling, Pierce Charles, played an instrumental role in the victory, saving a penalty from Georgian captain Khvicha Kvaratskhelia before Shea produced the game-winning moment at the opposite end.

As Northern Ireland returns to Belfast, O’Neill’s team hopes to extend their promising start when they take on a Hungary side they last triumphed over in September 2014.

Meanwhile, Hungary saw their four-match unbeaten streak come to an end following a 1-0 loss at home to Ukraine in their Nations League opener.

Danylo Sikan netted just before the interval to secure the lead for the visitors, which ultimately sealed Marco Rossi’s team’s first defeat of the year.

The Magyars had numerous chances in Budapest but failed to capitalize, despite recording 17 attempts on goal.

Rossi’s outfit will need to display a more potent attacking performance as they embark on their first away trip since November 2025, following a stretch of six consecutive fixtures played at home.

Hungary is also mindful that they have managed just one win in their last seven group matches in the Nations League as they seek to rebound from their latest setback.

Team News

Northern Ireland will have to make adjustments following their previous match, as Sunderland defender Daniel Ballard had to leave the field late in the encounter against Georgia due to an injury, with Paddy McNair likely to take his place.

Both Charles brothers are expected to keep their spots in goal and midfield, while stand-in captain Trai Hume is likely to remain at full-back and Tottenham forward Jamie Donley is set to lead the attack.

On the other hand, Hungary arrives in Belfast without any new injury issues but could consider alterations after their narrow loss to Ukraine.

Rossi is expected to retain the services of Liverpool pair Milos Kerkez and Dominik Szoboszlai, while Barnabas Varga will continue to be unavailable after being omitted from the squad due to a thigh injury.

Northern Ireland probable starting XI:

P. Charles; Atcheson, McNair, Brown; Hume, S. Charles, Galbraith, Devenny; Kelly, Donley, Price

Hungary probable starting XI:

Thoth; Bolla, Orban, Csinger, Kerkez; Vitalis, Csongvai, Schafer; Szobozlai; Redzic, Lukacs

With Northern Ireland coming off a thrilling win in Georgia, they will carry confidence into this fixture, though Hungary is likely to possess enough quality to bounce back from their initial defeat.

Our prediction leans toward the visitors claiming a hard-fought victory with a scoreline of 2-1.