Northern Ireland’s wait for World Cup qualifiers to start suits Michael O’Neill

“Personally I prefer to start the qualification campaign in September,” said O’Neill.

Michael O’Neill is happy to wait for Northern Ireland’s qualifiers (Liam McBurney/PA)

Michael O’Neill is more than happy to wait until September for Northern Ireland’s World Cup qualifying campaign to get under way as he focuses instead on friendlies against Switzerland and Sweden.

The road to next summer’s tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada opens up this week with Wales and England among those beginning their qualifying campaigns, but Northern Ireland must wait another six months after being drawn into one of the four-nation groups rather than one with five.