Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is one of the game's world cradles: Belfast's Cliftonville have existed since 1879, the Irish League kicked off in 1890 as one of the oldest leagues on the planet and the Irish Cup has been contested since 1881. The championship revolves around the eternal Belfast derby between Linfield and Glentoran, played for over a century amid the province's political and religious complexities, with Linfield stacking up titles like few clubs anywhere. In a land where football shares hearts with rugby and Gaelic games, the national team has always been the great meeting point, capable of feats far beyond its size.