An opportunity to write our names in history - O'Neill

Michael O'Neill is attempting to guide Northern Ireland to a first World Cup since 1986 Michael O'Neill says qualification for the World Cup would be "as good as anything that any Northern Ireland team has done". Northern Ireland travel to Italy in a play-off semi-final on 26 March and are big underdogs against Gennaro Gattuso's side. If they can stun the four-time World Cup winners, who have failed to qualify for the past two editions of the tournament, then a trip to Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina awaits in the play-off final. The overall prize is a place in Group B at the World Cup, alongside co-hosts Canada, Switzerland and Qatar. It would be a monumental effort for Northern Ireland to reach a first World Cup in 40 years, and that is something O'Neill is well aware of. "If this team can achieve this, it would be as good as anything that any Northern Ireland team has done, to go through two away games and get to a World Cup," he told BBC Sport NI. "It's a huge challenge, but we have the opportunity to write our names into the history of football here in Northern Ireland. "We intend to do everything possible to try and take it." Ballard included in NI squad as Morrison called up Who is 'leader' Morrison - the uncapped winger in NI squad? One manager, two jobs - how will O'Neill's situation work? O'Neill already knew he would be without Liverpool defender Conor Bradley after he injured his knee in the Premier League against Arsenal in January. Sunderland defender Dan Ballard is also a doubt for the game after he sustained a hamstring injury in the defeat by Brighton, but has been included in O'Neill's 28-man squad. When asked what challenges the hosts will pose in Bergamo, O'Neill said: "Well, they're Italy, aren't they?" "It's going to be a very, very tough game. There's no doubt about that," he added in his news conference. "We're going to have to step up. If you look at our squad, there's 13 players in the Championship, there's four at Premier League clubs and the rest are League One or playing their football elsewhere. "It is a big step up for us, but it's a step up we've made in the past. "I think we made it in the Germany game [a gutsy 3-1 defeat in September], albeit we didn't get the result that we felt we maybe could have done. We have to try and make that step up again." It has been four weeks since O'Neill announced he would combine his role with Northern Ireland with the task of trying to help Blackburn Rovers avoid relegation from the Championship. O'Neill was adamant he could juggle both jobs, saying that being in a club environment day-to-day would help keep his coaching sharp and that he had already done the brunt of his preparations for Italy before undertaking the role at Ewood Park. Those against the move have cited it as a distraction before Northern Ireland's biggest match in recent years. O'Neill had said it "wasn't about leaving Northern Ireland " and, speaking at his squad announcement on Monday, reiterated he has another two years on his contract with the Irish FA. "For me not to be Northern Ireland [manager for September's Nations League games], there would have to be an agreement between Blackburn and the IFA. "I would have to want to have to do that and, at this minute in time, my focus is on the World Cup play-off and the remaining games for Blackburn Rovers." Michael O'Neill's Blackburn Rovers are three points outside of the relegation zone with eight games to play O'Neill has three wins and a draw in seven matches as Rovers manager and they sit three points outside of the relegation zone with eight games remaining. Just four points separate Rovers in 19th and Leicester City in 23rd. Tight is an understatement as five teams look to avoid the two remaining relegation spots. "My objective is to go in and try and take Blackburn to a safer position in the Championship," he told BBC Sport. "We've managed to do that so far, but it's very, very tight at that end." When asked how preparations would work if Northern Ireland qualified for the World Cup and his final game with Blackburn Rovers was on 2 May, O'Neill said his focus was on the immediate future. He said he can "assure" Northern Ireland fans that "preparations will be as good as they have always been" for the play-offs. "If we can get through the two games and we're going to the World Cup then, trust me, we will be ready to go to the World Cup," he said. "Let's deal with what's at hand, which is definitely important. "I'll talk about the reality, which is we come into a World Cup play-off, as tough as we could have got, and we've got to do everything to try and win that game." Premier League: Wolves come from 2-0 down to draw at Brentford - reaction How Chelsea signed a star team with hidden payments Gavaskar criticises Sunrisers' Abrar signing Oscar-winning Storyville about a Russian teacher's quiet defiance Follow Greg’s 1,000km endurance tandem cycle for Red Nose Day Your weekly dose of fringe‑powered joy Kick off the week with the latest Premier League review 'Seconds from title but Ireland can take positives' Proud Cacace seeks Navarrete unification duel What is Northern Ireland's record against Italy? 'Now feels like the right time to start family' How Chelsea signed a star team with hidden payments From Bodo to Brentford - ranking this season's biggest overachievers 'Haaland of rugby' - how Bielle-Biarrey has stormed stage Who makes BBC pundits' Six Nations team of the tournament? Video Who makes BBC pundits' Six Nations team of the tournament? Another compelling Players - but why is it unlikely to ever be a major? Six talking points from final round of Six Nations Norrie replaces Draper as British number one - but for how long? Spurs answer Tudor's call with show of fight in the face of crisis 'Best racing ever' or 'a joke'? The row over the new F1 Aberg & Fitzpatrick falter as Young becomes Players champion. Video Aberg & Fitzpatrick falter as Young becomes Players champion Have Old Firm wrestled title momentum away from Hearts? A finale worthy of the greatest Six Nations in history Why GB are 'positive' despite just one medal at Winter Paralympics What next for Dowman - how do you look after a precious talent? Should the Winter Paralympics be moved? Gordon hits back at 'complete nonsense' from Rooney and Shearer Brentford, the World Cup and an itch to return to Gaelic football Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.