World Cup qualifying draw: Michael O'Neill relishing showdown with football 'powerhouse'
Michael O'Neill insists Northern Ireland will relish going up against one of football's "powerhouses" in the World Cup qualifiers.
His side will face either Germany or Italy in Group A, alongside Slovakia and Luxembourg following Friday's draw in Zurich.
Germany play Italy in the Nations League quarter-finals in March, with the winners joining Northern Ireland's group which will begin next September.
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It is a tricky assignment for O'Neill as he looks to guide the country to the finals being held in the USA, Canada and Mexico in two years' time.
O'Neill told the BBC: "We have played Germany in the past and we have certainly given them good games in Belfast. I know when Ian (Baraclough) was in charge we played Italy and the games were tight. We drew 0-0 with Italy in Belfast as well.
"So I don't think we have anything to lose in that situation. We are obviously playing one of the powerhouses of European football, and World Cup football.
"But the way the group has come out, we would have taken that before the draw."
Northern Ireland last met Germany back in the 2020 Euro qualifiers, losing 2-0 at Windsor Park and 6-1 in Frankfurt. They played Italy in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, losing 2-0 on the road and earning a 0-0 draw in Belfast.
Slovakia are familiar rivals - they are the side who beat Northern Ireland in a Euro play-off final back in 2020.
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And Luxembourg were in O'Neill's recent Nations League group, with Northern Ireland recording a 2-0 win at Windsor and drawing 2-2 away from home after holding a 2-0 lead.
O'Neill accepts finishing top of Group A is a "huge challenge", but one his young side will embrace.
"It is a big challenge to finish top of the group - a huge challenge. But there is a playoff route, and we have already given ourselves a chance by winning our Nations League group," he said.
"There is a lot for us to be positive about. We know we will be competitive in the group, no doubt about that. We just have to make sure we continue with the progression of the team."
O'Neill helped Northern Ireland make history back in 2016 when they reached the Euro finals in France. That was the first time the nation had ever qualified for a European Championships.
Their last appearance in a World Cup finals was back in 1986 when Billy Bingham led Northern Ireland to the tournament in Mexico.
"It will be 40 years since we qualified for our last World Cup. It is a huge, huge challenge for us but I have been very positive about the team the past 12 months," O'Neill said.
"There were maybe more challenging teams in Pot 2, without being disrespectful to Slovakia. But they're like us, they've been to Euro 2024 and acquitted themselves well.
"And we played Luxembourg recently in the Nations League. It will be a tough, tough challenge but it's one we really look forward to."
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