The Northern Ireland national under-21 football team also known as the Northern Ireland under-21s or Northern Ireland U21s, is the national under-21 football team of Northern Ireland and is controlled by the Irish Football Association. The team competes in the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, held every two years. To date Northern Ireland haven't yet qualified for the finals tournament. The national under-21 team is the highest level of youth football in Northern Ireland, and is open to any players who were born in Northern Ireland or whose parents or grandparents were born in Northern Ireland. This team is for Northern Irish players aged 21 or under at the start of a two-year European Under-21 Football Championship campaign, so players can be, and often are, up to 23 years old. As long as they are eligible, players can play at any level, making it possible to play for the U21s, senior side and again for the U21s.

Competitive Record

For the all-time record of the national team against opposing nations, see the team's all-time record page

UEFA European Under-21 Championship Record

Results and fixtures

2023

2024

UEFA European Under-21 Championship

2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification

Coaching staff

Current coaching staff

Manager history

{{legend|#CCFFCC|Current manager highlighted in green|border=#AAAAAA}} Last updated after the match against on 15 October 2024.

Players

Current squad

Players born on or after 1 January 2002 will be eligible until the completion of the 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. The following players were named in the squad for the 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualifiers against on the 12 October 2024 and on the 15 October 2024. Last updated after the match against on 15 October 2024. Names in bold denote players who have been capped for the senior team''.

Recent call-ups

The following players have previously been called up to the Northern Ireland under-21 squad and remain eligible. COVID = Player withdrew due to a positive COVID test or from being in close contact with someone with a positive COVID test. INJ = Player withdrew from the squad before any games had been played. PRE = Preliminary squad / standby. SEN = Player withdrew from the squad due to a call up to the senior team. SUS = Suspended from national team. WTD = Withdrew due to other reasons.

Player records

Most appearances

{{legend|#CCFFCC|Players still active are highlighted in green|border=#AAAAAA}} Last updated after the match against on 15 October 2024.

Top goalscorers

{{legend|#CCFFCC|Players still active are highlighted in green|border=#AAAAAA}} Last updated after the match against on 15 October 2024.

Under-21 graduates

Players who have won 25 or more Northern Ireland 'Full' caps after playing at least twice for the Northern Ireland U21. {{legend|#CCFFCC|Players still active are highlighted in green|border=#AAAAAA}} Full caps and goals updated as of 19 June 2023 after the Northern Ireland senior team match against 🇰🇿 kazakhstan.