Northern Ireland national football team records and statistics

This page details Northern Ireland national football team records and statistics; the most capped players, the players with the most goals, and Northern Ireland's match record by opponent and decade.

Player records

Most capped players

after the match against .

Players with an equal number of caps are ranked in chronological order of reaching the milestone.

Top goalscorers

after the match against .

Players with an equal number of goals are ranked in chronological order of reaching the milestone.

Most captaincies

after the match against .

Captaincy appearances are only awarded to players who were assigned the captaincy at the start of an international game. Players with an equal number of captaincies are ranked in chronological order of reaching the milestone.

Most clean sheets

after the match against .

A goalkeeper is awarded a clean sheet if he does not concede a goal during his time on the pitch.

Hat-tricks

The result is presented with Northern Ireland's score first.

Red cards

The result is presented with Northern Ireland's score first.

Individual and Team records

Age records

Youngest player to make debut: Samuel Johnston Ã¢ÂÂ 15 years and 154 days, 18 February 1882 vs
Oldest player to play a game: Elisha Scott Ã¢ÂÂ 42 years and 200 days, 11 March 1936 vs
Youngest player to play at World Cup finals: Norman Whiteside Ã¢ÂÂ 17 years and 41 days, 17 June 1982 vs
Oldest player to play at World Cup finals: Pat Jennings Ã¢ÂÂ 41 years and 0 days, 12 June 1986 vs
Youngest player to score a goal: Samuel Johnston Ã¢ÂÂ 15 years and 161 days, 25 February 1882 vs

Goal records

First Irish goal: Samuel Johnston Ã¢ÂÂ 15 years and 161 days, 25 February 1882 vs
Most goals scored in one game by a player: 6 Ã¢ÂÂ Joe Bambrick, 1 February 1930 vs

Firsts

First International: 18 February 1882 vs
First home international: 18 February 1882 vs
First win: 12 March 1887 vs
First overseas opponent: , 25 May 1922
First win over an overseas opponent: 1 May 1957 vs

Streaks

Most consecutive victories: 5
26 March 2017 Ã¢ÂÂ 4 September 2017
21 March 2019 Ã¢ÂÂ 5 September 2019
Most consecutive matches without defeat: 12
29 March 2015 Ã¢ÂÂ 4 June 2016
Most consecutive draws: 4
11 September 2012 Ã¢ÂÂ 6 February 2013
Most consecutive matches without a draw: 24
26 January 1884 Ã¢ÂÂ 28 March 1891
Most consecutive matches without victory: 21
5 November 1947 Ã¢ÂÂ 7 November 1953
Most consecutive defeats: 11
26 January 1884 Ã¢ÂÂ 19 February 1887
3 October 1959 Ã¢ÂÂ 7 October 1961
Most consecutive matches scoring: 13
4 November 1933 Ã¢ÂÂ 16 March 1938
Most consecutive matches without scoring: 13
27 March 2002 Ã¢ÂÂ 11 October 2003
Most consecutive matches conceding a goal: 46
18 February 1882 Ã¢ÂÂ 27 March 1897
Most consecutive matches without conceding a goal: 6
27 March 1985 Ã¢ÂÂ 26 February 1986

Biggest wins

Heaviest defeats

Competition Records

FIFA World Cup

Qualification

First match: 1 October 1949 vs
First goal: Sammy Smyth vs , 1 October 1949

Finals

First finals: Sweden 1958
Total number of times qualified for the finals: 3 (1958), (1982) and (1986)
First game: 8 June 1958 vs
First goal: Wilbur Cush vs , 8 June 1958
Most Successful final: 1958 Ã¢ÂÂ Quarter finals
World Cup top goal scorer: 5
Peter McParland (1958)

UEFA European Championship

Qualification

First match: 10 October 1962 vs
First goal: Derek Dougan vs , 10 October 1962

Finals

First finals: France 2016
Total number of times qualified for the finals: 1 (2016)
First game: 12 June 2016 vs
First goal: Gareth McAuley vs , 16 June 2016
Most Successful final: 2016 - Round of 16
European Championship scorer: 1
Gareth McAuley (2016)
Niall McGinn (2016)

UEFA Nations League

Qualification

First match: 8 September 2018 vs
First goal: Will Grigg vs , 8 September 2018

Rankings

Highest FIFA Rank: 20 (September 2017)
Lowest FIFA Rank: 129 (September 2012)
Highest Elo Rank: 5 (1882)
Lowest Elo Rank: 114 (11 October 2013)