Northern Ireland are unbeaten in four meetings with Luxembourg, winning three of them, their sole defeat in this fixture coming at Stade Josy Barthel in a World Cup qualifier 12 years ago.
Luxembourg vs Northern Ireland preview
After a very fruitful Nations League campaign last year, will Northern Ireland make a positive start to World Cup qualification? Last autumn, following many years of misery, the Green and White Army finally had something to celebrate. Michael O'Neill's side gained promotion to Nations League B, losing just one of six fixtures, including defeating Luxembourg 2-0 in Belfast, before a 2-2 draw in Gasperich on the final matchday rubber stamped top spot. This achievement, more or less, guarantees a play-off spot, so they can attack this qualification campaign free from pressure.
On Sunday night, Northern Ireland will take on Germany at RheinEnergieStadion, with Slovakia the fourth member of Group A. Of course, the four-times world champions are massive favourites to top the section, but second place is very much up for grabs. Nevertheless, if the Green and White Army are going to seize this opportunity, they'll feel this trip to the Stade de Luxembourg is must win.
As for the home side, this is the start of their 38th qualification campaign, a world record for a side who has never previously featured at any major tournament. Despite this, the Red Lions are an improving force, claiming five victories during Euro 2024 qualifying, the most they'd ever mustered in a single campaign. This earned them a play-off place, but their dreams were shattered by Georgia, defeated 2-0 in the pouring rain in Tbilisi.
This is the start of a new era for Luxembourg, with new manager Jeff Strasser in charge for the first time. Luc Holtz's 15 year stint as head coach came to an end in the summer, unceremoniously forced to resign after being embroiled in the controversy surrounding star attacker Gerson Rodrigues, publicly backing the 30 year old even after his conviction for domestic violence, which did not go down well with the FLF. Thus, they'll be pleased to have some football to focus on, so can they claim just a ninth World Cup qualification victory in their 143rd fixture come Thursday night?
Luxembourg vs Northern Ireland head-to-head record
- Matches Played: 7.
- Luxembourg Wins: 1. Draws: 2. Northern Ireland Wins: 4.
Luxembourg team news
As already alluded to, there's no Gerson Rodrigues anymore, a blow from a footballing perspective considering he is Luxembourg's all-time record goalscorer.
All four of the Red Lions' fixtures in 2025 so far have been friendlies, making their lineup tough to forecast. Teenaged goalkeeper Tiago Pereira Cardoso started both June matches, so will he be donning the gloves, or will veteran Anthony Moris be restored? The experienced Maxime Chanot has retired, but 33 year old captain Laurent Jans will win his 115th cap, extending his own record.
Luxembourg predicted lineup vs Northern Ireland: (4-4-2): Pereira Cardoso; Jans, Korać, Carlson, Džogović; Barreiro, Moreira Cruz, Bohnert, Dardari; Curci, Sinani.
Luxembourg player to watch vs Northern Ireland
Danel Sinani is the leading scorer in the squad, bagging his 14th international goal against Switzerland at Kybunpark in March, so could he be Luxembourg's hero here?
Northern Ireland team news
Michael O'Neill is in the same boat, having just had friendly matches this year, most-recently battling to a 1-0 victory over Iceland in Belfast, despite seeing Brodie Spencer sent off. He and fellow defender Dan Ballard are both injured, as is first-choice goalkeeper Pierce Charles, while Jamal Lewis, currently without a club, has not been called up either.
So, former number one Bailey Peacock-Farrell will win his 49th cap in goal, with Ruairi McConville and Paddy McNair coming into defence. Youngsters Conor Bradley and Justin Devenny are set to start as the wing-backs, while O'Neill has a decision to make in attack. Ronan Hale, Dion Charles, Jamie Donley and Lee Bonis have all led the line in a game this year, but who will do so here?
Northern Ireland predicted lineup vs Luxembourg: (3-4-2-1): Peacock-Farrell; McNair, Hume, McConville; Bradley, Saville, S Charles, Devenny; Smyth, Price, D Charles.
Northern Ireland player to watch vs Luxembourg
Isaac Price is certainly Northern Ireland's most-likely scorer, having bagged nine international goals in the last two years, three of which have come in four appearances in 2025, also breaking the deadlock at the Stade de Luxembourg in November, so will his scoring spree continue?
Luxembourg vs Northern Ireland prediction
We are forecasting a very narrow Northern Ireland victory on Thursday night, albeit this clash is tough to call, with very little between the two teams: Luxembourg 1-2 Northern Ireland.
Luxembourg vs Northern Ireland FAQs - World Cup qualifier
How to watch Luxembourg vs Northern Ireland in World Cup qualification on TV channel?
Luxembourg vs Northern Ireland in World Cup qualification will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: BBC Three
- USA: Fubo Sports Network 2 & fuboTV
- Canada: DAZN Canada
How to watch Luxembourg vs Northern Ireland in World Cup qualification on live streaming?
Luxembourg vs Northern Ireland in World Cup qualification will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: BBCiPlayer
- USA: Foxsports.com & fuboTV
- Canada: DAZN Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Luxembourg vs Northern Ireland in World Cup qualification?
Luxembourg vs Northern Ireland takes place on Thursday 4 September 2025, with kick off at 19:45 (BST), 14:45 (EDT) & 11:45 (PDT).