Northern Ireland are planning to call up Arsenal youngster Ceadach O’Neill for their upcoming Nations League fixtures this month as they look to settle his international future.
The teenager is eligible to represent either Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland, making the forthcoming call-up particularly significant for both associations.
O’Neill has already made two senior appearances for Northern Ireland, featuring in summer friendlies against Guinea and France after being selected by manager Michael O’Neill.
However, those appearances came in friendlies rather than competitive internationals, meaning he is not yet permanently tied to Northern Ireland under FIFA eligibility rules.
A competitive appearance for Northern Ireland would close off any possibility of O’Neill switching allegiance to the Republic of Ireland permanently.
Northern Ireland’s Nations League fixtures against Georgia on 25 September and Hungary on 28 September now represent a decisive moment in the youngster’s international career.
The Belfast Telegraph reports that the IFA is planning to call him up for those fixtures, giving Northern Ireland the opportunity to lock down his long-term international future.
Should O’Neill reject that call and instead commit to the Republic of Ireland, he would not be eligible to return to the Northern Ireland setup.
The forward has followed the Northern Ireland pathway throughout his youth career, representing the country at under-19 and under-21 level before earning his first senior appearances.
Arsenal signed O’Neill from Linfield in the summer of 2024 when he was just 16, following a successful trial at the Flamengo Adidas Cup in Brazil.
Since joining Arsenal, he has scored 16 goals and provided five assists across 41 under-18 appearances, underlining his growing reputation as a serious attacking talent.
He has also registered two goals and one assist in 11 under-21 games, along with two goals and an assist across five UEFA Youth League matches.
O’Neill has also earned recognition at senior level within Arsenal, appearing on the bench twice in the FA Cup last season and training with the first team ahead of their League Cup fixture at Ipswich.
