Northern Ireland come home to face Hungary after 315 days away
Northern Ireland are finally coming home.
After 315 days away from Belfast, they host Hungary at Windsor Park on Monday 28 September in the UEFA Nations League, European football's biennial tournament for national teams that runs alongside qualifying. Kick-off is at 19:45 BST at the Clearer Twist National Stadium at Windsor Park Irish FA.
It is a quick turnaround. Northern Ireland face Hungary about 73 hours after the final whistle in Georgia, following a round trip of almost 5,000 miles BBC Sport. The squad stayed on UK time in Georgia despite a three-hour difference. They flew overnight and landed back in Belfast on Saturday morning.
They return with momentum. Northern Ireland beat Georgia on the road, and goalkeeper Pierce Charles saved a penalty from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in that win. It was the perfect end to a long spell away.
Windsor Park has become a strength. Northern Ireland have won seven of their last nine home games there. Since a defeat by Slovenia in October 2023, only Germany have won away in Belfast, 1-0.
That is a turnaround. In an earlier run of nine home games, the only wins came against San Marino and Kosovo, with the Kosovo victory sealed by a 94th-minute winner. The last home outing in this current spell was a 1-0 win over Luxembourg, decided by a Jamie Donley penalty.
The gap tells its own story. This is Northern Ireland's first game in Belfast in 315 days. In between, they played five matches on the road, starting with a World Cup play-off defeat by Italy in Bergamo in March and ending with that victory in Georgia.
Hungary arrive with less travel in their legs. They played Ukraine in Budapest on Friday before making the trip to Belfast. Northern Ireland named a 28-strong squad panel for four matches in Nations League B2, so there are fresh options if tiredness bites.
For two players, the return means more. Charles has not played in Belfast since June 2025, with injury keeping him out since. He said he cannot wait to play at Windsor Park again and hear the fans, adding the team thrives off a positive home crowd.
Midfielder Patrick Kelly feels the same. He made his Northern Ireland debut at Windsor Park in November last year and has not played there since. Four of his five caps have come away from home. He said he is "buzzing" for the return and is looking forward to playing there again.
What makes this stand out is the wait. Ten months without a home game is a long time for supporters. A loud night in south Belfast could lift a tired group through one more test.
