Sunderland’s Dan Ballard has been tipped to become the Northern Ireland captain ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Writing for BBC Sport, journalist Mark Sterling has predicted the ‘promising’ defender to potentially take the armband over the next couple of years.
While born in Stevenage, Dan Ballard qualifies to represent Northern Ireland through his mother.
The centre-back came up through the ranks with Northern Ireland until he was eventually called up to the senior team for the first time in 2019, though didn’t make his debut until September 2020.
Ballard now has 21 international caps to his name and has featured heavily for the national team when fit, though he has missed six games in the past year or so due to injury.
Ballard is highly rated at both club and country level and will be looking to fill the boots of Jonny Evans and Craig Cathcart, with the latter retired and the former surely close.
Mark Sterling has claimed that Ballard would have a ‘strong case’ to become the future captain for Northern Ireland.
“Qualification for the 2026 World Cup does not start for another 18 months and [Michael] O’Neill may look to one of his promising youngsters to be his captain for that campaign,” Sterling told BBC Sport.
“Sunderland defender Dan Ballard would have a strong case to be that man, with the 24-year-old having become a vital member of the team while looking increasingly commanding and assured at the back in the 21 times he has played since his debut in September 2020.
“A few eyebrows may have been raised when Evans gave the captain’s armband to Ballard when he went off against San Marino last month, but the United man spoke highly of his defensive partner’s attributes when asked afterwards.”
Will Dan Ballard captain his club and country?
While I don’t watch too much of Dan Ballard for Northern Ireland, I can safely say that the defender will make a perfect captain for Sunderland one day.
The Arsenal academy product is far beyond his time and plays like he has been in senior football for years, whilst also matching Luke O’Nien’s leadership skills, commitment and determination.
Ballard could well have been named captain against Birmingham City if Dan Neil hadn’t spent so long on Wearside, but I would certainly hand the defender the armband over Neil in the next few years.