The Northern Ireland men’s football team has appeared in the finals of the FIFA World Cup on three occasions.

1958 – Northern Ireland reached the quarter finals. Northern Ireland then became the least populous country to have qualified for the World Cup, a record that stood until 2006.

1982 – Northern Ireland reached the quarter final stage of the FIFA World Cup.

1986 – Northern Ireland reached the first round of the FIFA World Cup.

In 2018 Northern Ireland qualified for the World Cup play-offs.

In 2016 Northern Ireland qualified for the UEFA European Championship.