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
Caps and goals updated as of 19 November 2019 after the match against| # | Name | Career | Caps | Goals |
| 1 | Pat Jennings | 1964–1986 | 119 | 0 |
| 2 | Steven Davis | 2005– | 117 | 12 |
| 3 | Aaron Hughes | 1998–2018 | 112 | 1 |
| 4 | David Healy | 2000–2013 | 95 | 36 |
| 5 | Mal Donaghy | 1980–1994 | 91 | 0 |
| 6 | Sammy McIlroy | 1972–1987 | 88 | 5 |
| 6 | Maik Taylor | 1999–2011 | 88 | 0 |
| 8 | Keith Gillespie | 1995–2008 | 86 | 2 |
| 9 | Jonny Evans | 2006– | 84 | 4 |
| 10 | Gareth McAuley | 2005–2018 | 80 | 9 |
| 11 | Chris Baird | 2003–2016 | 79 | 0 |
| 12 | Kyle Lafferty | 2006– | 75 | 20 |
| 13 | Jimmy Nicholl | 1976–1986 | 73 | 1 |
| 14 | Michael Hughes | 1992–2004 | 71 | 5 |
| 15 | David McCreery | 1976–1990 | 67 | 0 |
| 16 | Nigel Worthington | 1984–1997 | 66 | 0 |
| 17 | Chris Brunt | 2004–2017 | 65 | 3 |
| 18 | Martin O'Neill | 1972–1985 | 64 | 8 |
| 19 | Gerry Armstrong | 1977–1986 | 63 | 12 |
| 20 | Niall McGinn | 2010– | 60 | 4 |
| 21 | Iain Dowie | 1990–2000 | 59 | 12 |
| 21 | Terry Neill | 1961–1973 | 59 | 2 |
| 21 | Corry Evans | 2009– | 59 | 2 |
| 24 | Oliver Norwood | 2010–2018 | 57 | 0 |
| 25 | Billy Bingham | 1951–1963 | 56 | 9 |
| 25 | Danny Blanchflower | 1949–1962 | 56 | 2 |
| 25 | Damien Johnson | 1999–2009 | 56 | 0 |
| 28 | Jimmy McIlroy | 1951–1965 | 55 | 10 |
| 29 | Stephen Craigan | 2003–2011 | 54 | 0 |
| 30 | Allan Hunter | 1969–1979 | 53 | 1 |
| 30 | John McClelland | 1980–1990 | 53 | 1 |
| 32 | Jim Magilton | 1991–2002 | 52 | 5 |
| 32 | Alan McDonald | 1985–1996 | 52 | 3 |
| 34 | Sammy Nelson | 1970–1982 | 51 | 1 |
| 34 | Chris Nicholl | 1974–1983 | 51 | 3 |
| 34 | Gerry Taggart | 1990–2002 | 51 | 7 |
| 37 | Bryan Hamilton | 1968–1980 | 50 | 4 |
| 37 | James Quinn | 1996–2006 | 50 | 4 |
| 37 | Josh Magennis | 2010– | 50 | 7 |
| 37 | Craig Cathcart | 2010– | 50 | 2 |
Players with an equal number of caps are ranked in chronological order of reaching the milestone.
Highest Ireland / Northern Ireland goalscorers
Caps and goals updated as of 19 November 2019 after the match against| # | Name | Career | Caps | Goals | Goals per game |
| 1 | David Healy | 2000–2013 | 95 | 36 | 0.38 |
| 2 | Kyle Lafferty | 2006– | 75 | 20 | 0.27 |
| 3 | Billy Gillespie | 1913–1932 | 25 | 13 | 0.52 |
| 3 | Colin Clarke | 1986–1993 | 38 | 13 | 0.34 |
| 5 | Joe Bambrick | 1928–1940 | 11 | 12 | 1.09 |
| 5 | Gerry Armstrong | 1977–1986 | 63 | 12 | 0.19 |
| 5 | Jimmy Quinn | 1985–1996 | 46 | 12 | 0.26 |
| 5 | Iain Dowie | 1990–2000 | 59 | 12 | 0.20 |
| 5 | Steven Davis | 2005– | 117 | 12 | 0.10 |
| 10 | Olphie Stanfield | 1887–1897 | 30 | 11 | 0.37 |
| 11 | Jimmy McIlroy | 1951–1965 | 55 | 10 | 0.18 |
| 11 | Peter McParland | 1954–1962 | 34 | 10 | 0.29 |
| 11 | Johnny Crossan | 1959–1967 | 24 | 10 | 0.42 |
| 14 | Billy Bingham | 1951–1963 | 56 | 9 | 0.16 |
| 14 | George Best | 1964–1977 | 37 | 9 | 0.24 |
| 14 | Norman Whiteside | 1982–1989 | 38 | 9 | 0.24 |
| 14 | Gareth McAuley | 2005–2018 | 80 | 9 | 0.11 |
| 18 | Derek Dougan | 1958–1973 | 43 | 8 | 0.19 |
| 18 | Willie Irvine | 1963–1972 | 23 | 8 | 0.35 |
| 18 | Martin O'Neill | 1971–1984 | 64 | 8 | 0.13 |
| 21 | John Peden | 1887–1899 | 24 | 7 | 0.29 |
| 21 | Billy McAdams | 1954–1962 | 15 | 7 | 0.47 |
| 21 | Sammy Wilson | 1961–1967 | 12 | 7 | 0.58 |
| 21 | Gerry Taggart | 1990–2002 | 51 | 7 | 0.14 |
| 21 | Josh Magennis | 2010– | 50 | 7 | 0.14 |
Players with an equal number of goals are ranked in chronological order of reaching the milestone.
Hat-tricks
The result is presented with Northern Ireland's score first.| Player | Goals | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Type of Game | Ref |
| Olphie Stanfield | 4* | 7 February 1891 | Ulsterville, Belfast, Northern Ireland | 7–2 | 1890–91 British Home Championship | ||
| Jack Peden | 3 | 8 April 1893 | Solitude, Belfast, Northern Ireland | 4–3 | 1892–93 British Home Championship | ||
| Andy Gara | 3 | 22 February 1902 | Ninian Park, Cardiff, Wales | 3–0 | 1901–02 British Home Championship | ||
| Harold Sloan | 3 | 2 April 1906 | Racecourse Ground, Wrexham, Wales | 4–4 | 1905–06 British Home Championship | ||
| Joe Bambrick | 6* | 1 February 1930 | Celtic Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland | 7–0 | 1929–30 British Home Championship | ||
| Billy McAdams | 3 | 26 October 1960 | Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland | 3–4 | 1962 FIFA World Cup Group 3 Qualifier | ||
| Johnny Crossan | 3 | 7 May 1965 | Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland | 4–1 | 1966 FIFA World Cup Group 5 Qualifier | ||
| George Best | 3 | 21 April 1971 | Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland | 5–0 | UEFA Euro 1972 Group 4 Qualifier | ||
| Colin Clarke | 3 | 11 September 1991 | Landskrona IP, Landskrona, Sweden | 5–0 | UEFA Euro 1992 Group 4 Qualifier | ||
| David Healy | 3 | 6 September 2006 | Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland | 3–2 | UEFA Euro 2008 Group F Qualifier | ||
| David Healy | 3 | 24 March 2007 | Rheinpark, Vaduz, Liechtenstein | 4–1 | UEFA Euro 2008 Group F Qualifier |
Red cards
The result is presented with Northern Ireland's score first.| Player | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Type of Game | Ref |
| Jimmy Nicholson | 17 October 1961 | Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland | 2–0 |  1962 FIFA World Cup Group 3 Qualifier | ||
| Billy Ferguson | 22 October 1966 | Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland | 0–2 |     1966–67 British Home Championship UEFA Euro 1968 Group 8 Qualifier | ||
| George Best | 18 April 1970 | Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland | 0–1 | 1969–70 British Home Championship | ||
| George Best | 18 October 1972 | Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia, Bulgaria | 0–3 |  1974 FIFA World Cup Group 6 Qualifier | ||
| Terry Cochrane | 3 June 1981 | Råsunda Stadium, Stockholm, Sweden | 0–1 |  1982 FIFA World Cup Group 6 Qualifier | ||
| Mal Donaghy | 25 June 1982 | Estadio Luis Casanova, Valencia, Spain | 1–0 | 1982 FIFA World Cup Group 5 | ||
| Phil Gray | 23 March 1994 | Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland | 2–0 | International Friendly | ||
| Iain Dowie | 27 March 1996 | Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland | 0–2 | International Friendly | ||
| Steve Lomas | 27 March 2002 | Rheinpark, Vaduz, Liechtenstein | 0–0 | International Friendly | ||
| James Quinn | 2 April 2003 | Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland | 0–2 |  UEFA Euro 2004 Group 6 Qualifier | ||
| Keith Gillespie | 2 April 2003 | Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland | 0–2 | UEFA Euro 2004 Group 6 Qualifier | ||
| George McCartney | 11 October 2003 | Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium, Athens, Greece | 0–1 | UEFA Euro 2004 Group 6 Qualifier | ||
| Mark Williams | 30 May 2004 | Barbados National Stadium, Saint Michael, Barbados | 1–1 | International Friendly | ||
| Michael Hughes | 8 September 2004 | Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales | 2–2 | 2006 FIFA World Cup Group 6 Qualifier | ||
| David Healy | 8 September 2004 | Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales | 2–2 | 2006 FIFA World Cup Group 6 Qualifier | ||
| Keith Gillespie | 17 August 2005 | Ta' Qali National Stadium, Ta' Qali, Malta | 1–1 | International Friendly | ||
| Damien Johnson | 12 October 2005 | Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna, Austria | 0–2 | 2006 FIFA World Cup Group 6 Qualifier | ||
| James Quinn | 26 May 2006 | Soldier Field, Chicago, United States | 0–2 | International Friendly | ||
| Ryan McGivern | 20 August 2008 | Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland | 0–0 | International Friendly | ||
| Adam Thompson | 24 May 2011 | Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Republic of Ireland | 0–5 |  2011 Nations Cup | ||
| Chris Brunt | 6 September 2013 | Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland | 2–4 |  2014 FIFA World Cup Group F Qualifier | ||
| Kyle Lafferty | 6 September 2013 | Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland | 2–4 | 2014 FIFA World Cup Group F Qualifier | ||
| Jonny Evans | 11 October 2013 | Eighth Kilometer District Stadium, Baku, Azerbaijan | 0–2 | 2014 FIFA World Cup Group F Qualifier | ||
| Gareth McAuley | 5 March 2014 | GSP Stadium, Strovolos, Cyprus | 0–0 | International Friendly | ||
| Chris Baird | 7 September 2015 | Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland | 1–1 |  UEFA Euro 2016 Group F Qualifier |
Individual and Team records
Age records
- Youngest player to make debut: Samuel Johnston – 15 years and 154 days, 18 February 1882 vs
- Oldest player to play a game: Elisha Scott – 42 years and 200 days, 11 March 1936 vs
- Youngest player to play at World Cup finals: Norman Whiteside – 17 years and 41 days, 17 June 1982 vs
- Oldest player to play at World Cup finals: Pat Jennings – 41 years and 0 days, 12 June 1986 vs
- Youngest player to score a goal: Samuel Johnston – 15 years and 161 days, 25 February 1882 vs
Goal records
- First Irish goal: Samuel Johnston – 15 years and 161 days, 25 February 1882 vs
- Most goals scored in one game by a player: 6 – 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:, 25th May 1922
- First win over an overseas opponent: 1 May 1957 vs
Streaks
- Most consecutive victories: 5
- * 26 March 2017 – 4 September 2017
- * 21 March 2019 – 5 September 2019
- Most consecutive matches without defeat: 12
- * 29 March 2015 – 4 June 2016
- Most consecutive draws: 4
- * 11 September 2012 – 6 February 2013
- Most consecutive matches without a draw: 24
- * 26 January 1884 – 28 March 1891
- Most consecutive matches without victory: 21
- * 5 November 1947 – 7 November 1953
- Most consecutive defeats: 11
- * 26 January 1884 – 19 February 1887
- * 3 October 1959 – 7 October 1961
- Most consecutive matches scoring: 13
- * 4 November 1933 – 16 March 1938
- Most consecutive matches without scoring: 13
- * 27 March 2002 – 11 October 2003
- Most consecutive matches conceding a goal: 46
- * 18 February 1882 – 27 March 1897
- Most consecutive matches without conceding a goal: 6
- * 27 March 1985 – 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
- First finals: Sweden 1958
- Total number of times qualified for the finals: 3, and
- First game: 8 June 1958 vs
- First goal: Wilbur Cush vs, 8 June 1958
- Most Successful final: 1958 – Quarter finals
- World Cup top goal scorer: 5
- * Peter McParland
UEFA European Championship
- First match: 10 October 1962 vs
- First goal: Derek Dougan vs, 10 October 1962
- First finals: France 2016
- Total number of times qualified for the finals: 1
- 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
- * Niall McGinn
UEFA Nations League
- First match: 8 September 2018 vs
- First goal: Will Grigg vs, 8 September 2018
Rankings
- Highest FIFA Rank: 20
- Lowest FIFA Rank: 129
- Highest Elo Rank: 5
- Lowest Elo Rank: 114
Performance
Performance by competition
Last updated after match against on 19 November 2019.| Competition | Win % | Draw % | Loss % | |||||||
| FIFA World Cup | 13 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 13 | 23 | -10 | 23.08% | 38.46% | 38.46% |
| FIFA World Cup qualification | 134 | 43 | 36 | 55 | 149 | 161 | -12 | 32.09% | 26.89% | 41.05% |
| UEFA European Championship | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 25.00% | 0.00% | 75.00% |
| UEFA European Championship qualification | 118 | 44 | 26 | 48 | 129 | 151 | -22 | 37.29% | 22.03% | 40.68% |
| UEFA Nations League | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 7 | -5 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 100.00% |
| British Home Championship | 265 | 48 | 49 | 168 | 284 | 710 | -426 | 18.11% | 18.49% | 63.40% |
| Competitive | 524 | 137 | 113 | 274 | 568 | 1017 | -449 | 26.15% | 21.56% | 52.29% |
| International Friendlies | 117 | 30 | 34 | 53 | 107 | 190 | -83 | 25.64% | 29.06% | 45.30% |
| Minor Tournaments | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 14 | -13 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 100.00% |
| Total | 648 | 167 | 148 | 333 | 677 | 1227 | -550 | 25.77% | 22.84% | 51.39% |
Statistics include official FIFA recognised matches only
Performance by manager
Last updated after match against on 19 November 2019.Statistics include official FIFA recognised matches only
Performance by venue
Last updated after match against on 19 November 2019.| Venue | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Win % | Draw % | Loss % | |||
| Home | 309 | 107 | 68 | 134 | 399 | 523 | -124 | 34.63% | 22.01% | 43.37% |
| Away | 311 | 56 | 74 | 181 | 260 | 651 | -391 | 18.01% | 23.79% | 58.20% |
| Neutral | 28 | 4 | 6 | 18 | 18 | 53 | -35 | 14.29% | 21.43% | 64.29% |
| Total | 648 | 167 | 148 | 333 | 677 | 1227 | -550 | 25.77% | 22.84% | 51.39% |
Performance by confederation
Last updated after match against on 19 November 2019.| Confederation | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Win % | Draw % | Loss % | ||||
| UEFA | 615 | 157 | 139 | 319 | 645 | 1188 | -543 | 25.53% | 22.60% | 51.87% | |
| CONCACAF | 11 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 12 | 13 | -1 | 27.27% | 36.36% | 36.36% | |
| CONMEBOL | 11 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 6 | 16 | -10 | 18.18% | 0.00% | 81.82% | |
| CAF | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 25.00% | 50.00% | 25.00% | |
| OFC | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 3 | +3 | 75.00% | 25.00% | 0.00% | |
| AFC | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 33.33% | 66.67% | 0.00% |
Statistics include official FIFA recognised matches only
Performance by decade
Last updated after match against on 19 November 2019.| Decade | Win % | Draw % | Loss % | |||||||
| 1880s | 22 | 1 | 1 | 20 | 20 | 139 | -119 | 4.55% | 4.55% | 90.91% |
| 1890s | 30 | 5 | 4 | 21 | 45 | 124 | -79 | 16.67% | 13.33% | 70.00% |
| 1900s | 31 | 5 | 4 | 22 | 24 | 83 | -59 | 16.13% | 12.90% | 70.97% |
| 1910s | 16 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 20 | 30 | -10 | 31.25% | 18.75% | 50.00% |
| 1920s | 33 | 5 | 8 | 20 | 32 | 63 | -31 | 15.15% | 24.24% | 60.61% |
| 1930s | 29 | 6 | 3 | 20 | 38 | 75 | -37 | 20.69% | 10.34% | 68.97% |
| 1940s | 11 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 16 | 40 | -24 | 18.18% | 18.18% | 63.64% |
| 1950s | 43 | 8 | 15 | 20 | 54 | 89 | -35 | 18.60% | 34.88% | 46.51% |
| 1960s | 52 | 16 | 8 | 28 | 77 | 111 | -34 | 30.77% | 15.38% | 53.85% |
| 1970s | 64 | 19 | 13 | 32 | 53 | 80 | -27 | 29.69% | 20.31% | 50.00% |
| 1980s | 73 | 23 | 24 | 26 | 59 | 77 | -18 | 31.51% | 32.88% | 35.62% |
| 1990s | 70 | 21 | 18 | 31 | 75 | 96 | -21 | 30.00% | 25.71% | 44.29% |
| 2000s | 84 | 23 | 23 | 38 | 79 | 107 | -28 | 27.38% | 27.38% | 45.24% |
| 2010s | 90 | 28 | 22 | 40 | 85 | 113 | -28 | 31.11% | 24.44% | 44.44% |
| Total | 648 | 167 | 148 | 333 | 677 | 1227 | -550 | 25.77% | 22.84% | 51.39% |
Statistics include official FIFA recognised matches only
All-time records
Head to head records
Last updated after match against on 19 November 2019.Statistics include official FIFA recognised matches only
FIFA members yet to play against Northern Ireland
Last updated after match against on 19 November 2019.| AFC |
| CONCACAF |
| OFC |