The Northern Ireland national under-21 football team also known as the Northern Ireland under-21s or Northern Ireland U21s, is the national under-21 football team of Northern Ireland and is controlled by the Irish Football Association. The team competes in the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, held every two years. To date Northern Ireland haven't yet qualified for the finals tournament.
The national under-21 team is the highest level of youth football in Northern Ireland, and is open to any players who were born in Northern Ireland or whose parents or grandparents were born in Northern Ireland. This team is for Northern Irish players aged 21 or under at the start of a two-year European Under-21 Football Championship campaign, so players can be, and often are, up to 23 years old. As long as they are eligible, players can play at any level, making it possible to play for the U21s, senior side and again for the U21s.
For the all-time record of the national team against opposing nations, see the team's all-time record page
Last updated after the match against Greece on 18 November 2025.
Players born on or after 1 January 2004 will be eligible until the completion of the 2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.
The following players were named in the squad for a 2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification Group F matches against Germany and Latvia on the 27 and 31 March 2026; respectively.
Caps and goals correct as of 31 March 2026, after the match against Latvia
Names in bold denote players who have been capped for the senior team.
The following players have previously been called up to the Northern Ireland under-21 squad and remain eligible.
<sup>INJ</sup> = Player withdrew from the squad before any games had been played.<br/> <sup>PRE</sup> = Preliminary squad / standby.<br/> <sup>SEN</sup> = Player withdrew from the squad due to a call up to the senior team.<br/> <sup>SUS</sup> = Suspended from national team.<br/> <sup>WTD</sup> = Withdrew due to other reasons.
Last updated after the match against Greece on 18 November 2025.
Last updated after the match against Greece on 18 November 2025.
Players who have won 25 or more Northern Ireland 'Full' caps after playing at least twice for the Northern Ireland U21.
Full caps and goals updated as of 19 June 2023 after the Northern Ireland senior team match against Kazakhstan.