Former Republic of Ireland defender Ian Harte has given his two cents that Northern Ireland has surpassed his former national team.

Both Northern Ireland and the Republic missed out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the former going out to Italy in a play-off and the Republic losing on penalties in Prague.

Neither side has qualified for a major competition since competing at Euro 2016 a decade ago, although both will harbour high hopes of competing at Euro 2028 on these shores.

Ian Harte claims Northern Ireland taken over from Republic

Both teams are somewhat in the ascendancy after some lean periods, and the Republic has risen to 55th in the FIFA rankings, largely thanks to statement wins at home to Portugal and away in Hungary.

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Northern Ireland, 70th, have not quite had the results to match those but Harte believes that they are now the best international team on the island of Ireland.

Speaking in an interview with the Belfast Telegraph, Harte shared his view that Northern Ireland has become the premier national team, partly thanks to players ability to move to England at a young age.

FIFA regulations enforced as a result of Brexit have forced players from the Republic to wait until the age of 18 to move across the Irish Sea, having typically done so earlier in their teens when Britain was in the EU.

There is a problem for Irish football which needs to change. I think Northern Irish football has taken over from Republic of Ireland football at the moment,” he said.

“Well, to be honest, I speak to a lot of friends in England and they’ll agree as well.

“Northern Ireland football is kind of accelerating because their kids are able to move across to England at the age of 16 so they’re already in the system with strength and conditioning, diet and training when they step up to the Northern Irish team.

“I’ve been watching Ireland games and I think, ‘Oh, let’s watch Northern Ireland,’ because I think it’s more exciting.

“I have met [Northern Ireland boss] Michael [O’Neill] and think he has done remarkably well with Northern Ireland and players like Trai Hume and Dan Ballard have really stepped up.

“The one bit of the jigsaw they’re probably missing at the moment is having a young David Healy coming through to put the ball in the back of the net.”

Republic fans will argue that the team has benefitted from an influx of young players in recent seasons, led by Troy Parrott and his exploits for both club and country, while kids like Mason Melia are still getting their moves from the LOI.

Harte caused a stir in 2025 when he claimed that the League of Ireland was ‘killing young lads’ chances’ by asking for too much money for them from clubs in the UK.

Damien Duff, who was Shelbourne manager at the time, Shamrock Rovers boss Stephen Bradley and former Ireland manager Stephen Kenny all took exception to Harte’s remarks.

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