Sunderland boss provides Dan Ballard injury update and it’s not good news for Northern Ireland

Michael O’Neill is already without goalkeeper Pierce Charles for the games against Luxembourg and Germany

Northern Ireland look set to be without another key player for next month’s opening 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Luxembourg and Germany after Sunderland provided an update on Dan Ballard’s injury.

Days after Pierce Charles was ruled out of the away double header at the start of September, Ballard now looks set to join the Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper by missing the opening Group A games.

The big centreback was forced off with a groin injury after only nine minutes of the Black Cats’ 2-0 defeat at Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday.

Ballard underwent a scan on Monday with his manager Régis Le Bris confirming the extent of the injury following Sunderland’s League Cup defeat to Huddersfield Town on Tuesday night.

“We had the diagnosis yesterday, so probably around three weeks for Dan,” Le Bris said.

It’s a huge blow for Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill ahead of the 26-strong squad meeting up next Sunday.

Dundee defender Aaron Donnelly missed out on initial squad but now looks set to be called up from the standby list.

O’Neill has already drafted in Stephen Mullan with the Fleetwood Town ‘keeper, who is currently on loan at League of Ireland side Waterford, replacing Charles.

Northern Ireland will begin their World Cup 2026 qualification campaign with a game against Luxembourg at Stade de Luxembourg on Thursday 4 September (7.45pm kick-off BST).

Their second game in Group A of the European qualifiers will see them take on Germany at the Rhein-Energie-Stadion in Koln (Cologne) on Sunday 7 September (7.45pm BST).