With Germany’s shock 2-0 loss to Slovakia, things are up in the air — Northern Ireland were probably counting on securing the second spot of Group A, but now that Slovakia have gained points against the four-time World Cup winners, there’s pressure on Michael O’Neill’s men to beat the ‘Deutschen’ as well.
Vitally, they have positive momentum, something their upcoming opponents are lacking.
Stewart Cherry (42), originally from Kilkeel, has lived in New York City for the past decade, so literally every home game for Northern Ireland is an away game for him, yet he still makes around four per year.
“I am very cautiously optimistic that we can finish second,” Stewart said during a stopover with his dad in the Belgian city of Liege on Friday afternoon.
“So much of this is about momentum and belief, and I feel that the [Luxembourg] win gives us both.
“We’ll go into the Germany game, and there’s nothing to lose. It is a bit of a free shot against Germany. But I think with belief and the momentum, that’ll really help.
“The last time we qualified for major finals, we won away in the first game away to Hungary. So I’m looking for as many good omens as we possibly an.”
Father and son duo Stephen and Stewart Cherry
After nearly missing his chance to even get to Luxembourg for the first game this week, he’s hoping all the stress will have been worth it once the weekend is over.
“I was going to do a day flight to London, get to London and then the next morning I was flying to Luxembourg. But I flew four hours on Monday morning.
“Just as we were about to cross the Atlantic, the pilot said there was a mechanical issue, so we then had to fly four hours back to JFK. And then I had to switch planes, get on another plane to fly overnight to make it to London.
“I think I made the connecting flight with about five minutes to spare. That’s been the most stressful trip that I’ve had.”
Northern Ireland fans enjoying the buzz in Luxembourg
With the 2026 World Cup to take place across the USA and Canada next year, he hopes more than ever that NI can secure their spot in the tournament.
“I live about 10 miles from the MetLife Stadium, which is where the World Cup final is next year, so if Northern Ireland were to come to North America it would make life a lot simpler for me,” he said.
“We also have the New York Northern Ireland Supporters Club, and three of the members were at the Luxembourg game and will be in Cologne on Sunday, which is really good.
“There’s a bar called Legends near the Empire State Building as well that we always go to watch matches in, and it’s been so good in keeping people from home connected.”
Hundreds travelled via train and bus from Luxembourg to Cologne on Friday following Thursday’s win, while plenty more have been making the trip from Irish airports for Sunday’s game alone.
Phil Bartlett (44) probably never would have thought of visiting Luxembourg if it were not for international football.
Phil Bartlett (holding Penguin Tilman) wih Conrad Kirkwood, President of the IFA
This week marked his fourth trip to the country, though he admitted he wouldn’t likely have visited at all without the lure of he game.
Now, he and his friends even have a favourite bar in the capital city, which has a stuffed penguin they deem to be their Northern Ireland mascot — Penguin Tilman.
“If you pick a European city, or you pick a country, there’s so many of them that I would never have been to if it wasn’t for football,” said the Comber native.
“It’s always great fun with the fans in and around the area. We always just get our colours on and go out and enjoy ourselves. We always do.”
As a youth football coach himself now with Ards FC, Phil has started to recognise supporters that he has seen for the last 20 years travelling to Northern Ireland matches, now bringing their own kids down to train.
“It’s such a good community,” he added.
Jayne and Gary Gray have also managed to see so many parts of the world that they never would have if it weren’t for Northern Ireland — with San Marino their favourite spot to date.
Gary and Jayne Gray with Peter Downes, a friend they have met through travelling to NI games
Gary has been supporting his country’s team since he was 14.
Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Jayne added: “I can’t tell you what age he is now, but he’s got his bus pass.”
“I don’t think we’ve missed any matches now — home and away — in the past five years, maybe longer,” she continued.
The Coleraine couple say that no matter the results, “there is always good craic”.
“All the Northern Ireland fans, all they want to do is sing songs in the square, and drink loads of beer and have a laugh,” said Jayne.
“There’s never any bother or any malice. We do all the home games as well, even though some of them are on a Monday night and we have to go to work the next morning.”
She described the buzz of Thursday night’s game as “electric,” despite having to wake up early for the 8.30am train to Cologne the next morning.
Gary predicts a 1-1 draw on Sunday, with Isaac Price scoring for Northern Ireland.
Regardless, Jayne says the team have to qualify for the World Cup, as they’ve both already applied for their ESTAs — the travel authorisation needed to get into the USA — ahead of next year.
“We’re not booking any holidays, we’re just living in hope,” she said.
“We’re saving ourselves for June, July and August next year.
“I have friends out in Vancouver, but we’ve already been talking to some of the GAWA and we thought, between us, why don’t we just hire an RV?
“The boys could do the driving and the girls could do the drinking.”
Asked to describe the chances of qualifying in one word each — Gary said “fair”, while Jayne said “glorious”.