For the first time since June 2022, Northern Ireland faces a packed four-match international window, kicking off with an away fixture against Georgia.
Michael O'Neill is set to continue as the Northern Ireland senior men's manager. He was first appointed to the role in December 2011 and officially took charge of his first match in February 2012.
O'Neill has made nine alterations to the Northern Ireland setup, introducing new faces and welcoming back returning players from the 23-man squad that faced Guinea and France in early summer friendlies.
Meanwhile, Willy Sagnol is set to continue as the Georgia senior men's manager. He was first appointed to the role in February 2021 and officially took charge of his first match in March 2021. Sagnol has made adjustments to the Georgia setup, introducing fresh talent and welcoming back players to the 27-man squad ahead of their autumn internationals.
Here's everything you need to know about the match.
How to watch:
The match will be available to watch on BBC Sport in the UK, broadcasting on BBC Two, BBC Two Northern Ireland and BBC iPlayer.
You can also follow ESPN's live updates.
Key Details:
Date, kick-off time:
UK BST: Friday, Sept. 25, 5 p.m.
U.S. ET: Friday, Sept. 25, 1 p.m.
India IST: Friday, Sept. 25, 10:30 p.m.
Australia AEST: Saturday, Sept. 26, 2 a.m.
Referee: TBC
Venue: Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena Tbilisi, Georgia
Injury and Team News
Northern Ireland
Conor Bradley, D, knee: OUT
Alistair McCann, M, hamstring: OUT
Brad Lyons, M, knee: OUT
Georgia
No major injuries reported: FULL SQUAD AVAILABLE
Expected Lineups
Northern Ireland Predicted XI
Bailey Peacock-Farrell
Trai Hume | Daniel Ballard | Paddy McNair | Ciaron Brown
Shea Charles | Ethan Galbraith
Brodie Spencer | Isaac Price | Jamie Donley
Dion Charles
Georgia Predicted XI
Giorgi Mamardashvili
Otar Kakabadze | Saba Goglichidze | Luka Lochoshvili | Irakli Azarovi
Giorgi Kochorashvili | Otar Kiteishvili
Zuriko Davitashvili | Giorgi Chakvetadze | Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Giorgi Mikautadze
Talking Points
Northern Ireland step back up to League B
Northern Ireland begin their Nations League campaign in Tbilisi having earned promotion from League C in the previous tournament, with Michael O'Neill's side now facing a significant step up in opposition.
Georgia, Ukraine and Hungary make up a demanding Group B2, and the opening trip offers an immediate indication of how Northern Ireland's young squad will cope at the higher level.
O'Neill has named a 28-player squad with an average age of just 24, including four teenagers and 17 players under the age of 25. There are nine changes and additions from the group selected for the summer friendlies against Guinea and France.
Northern Ireland will also have to begin the campaign without Conor Bradley. The Liverpool defender is sidelined through injury, while midfielder Alistair McCann is also unavailable. Daniel Ballard, Bailey Peacock-Farrell and Eoin Toal are among those returning to O'Neill's squad.
Georgia's attacking talent poses early test
Georgia enter another League B campaign with several established attacking threats available to Willy Sagnol.
Paris Saint-Germain winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Villarreal forward Giorgi Mikautadze headline a 27-man squad, while Giorgi Chakvetadze, Zuriko Davitashvili and Budu Zivzivadze give Sagnol further options in attack.
There is also a new face in the group, with Wolfsberger AC midfielder Otar Mamageishvili receiving his first senior call-up. Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, Sevilla midfielder Giorgi Kochorashvili and Sturm Graz's Otar Kiteishvili add experience to the squad.
With Northern Ireland missing Bradley, containing Kvaratskhelia and Georgia's supporting attackers could be one of their biggest challenges in Tbilisi.
Stats
Northern Ireland are back in League B after winning promotion from League C in the previous Nations League campaign.
Georgia remained in League B following the previous tournament.
Northern Ireland and Georgia are joined by Hungary and Ukraine in Nations League Group B2.
The teams will meet twice in the space of 11 days, first in Georgia on Sept. 25 before the return fixture in Belfast on Oct. 5.
Northern Ireland's 28-player squad has an average age of 24, with 17 members aged under 25.
Georgia have named a 27-player squad, with Otar Mamageishvili the only uncapped player called up.
