Northern Ireland Under-21s will face Germany, Georgia, Greece, Latvia and Malta in the battle to make Euro 2027.
Tommy Wright’s young guns were dropped into qualifying Group F during the draw in Switzerland.
Based on Uefa’s co-efficient ranking system, Northern Ireland were in Pot 4 for the draw and expected tough opponents.
But it will be another important learning experience for the players who have shone in the youth ranks.
Group games will take place between next month and October next year, followed by Play-Offs in November 2026 ahead of the Final tournament in June 2027 in Albania and Serbia.
Germany were drawn from Pot 1 and Georgia from Pot 2, while Greece were among the Pot 3 sides.
The nine group winners and the runner-up with the best record against the top five in their group qualify directly for the Final tournament with co-hosts Albania and Serbia. The eight other runners-up will contest Play-Offs to determine the four remaining finalists.
Republic of Ireland’s Under-21s have, meanwhile, been grouped with England in the draw.
Jim Crawford’s youngsters will also play Slovakia, Moldova, Kazakhstan and Andorra in Group D.
The side will look to make history in the new campaign after coming close in each of the last two qualifying journeys.
In 2023, the Republic reached a Play-Off for the first time in their history, where they were defeated by Israel on penalties.
And last year, Crawford’s men finished third on goal difference as Norway clinched the Play-Off spot for the 2025 Finals in a group that five-time winners Italy topped.
2025-27 Under-21 EURO qualifying: Group A: Spain, Romania, Finland, Kosovo, Cyprus, San Marino
Group B: Portugal, Czechia, Bulgaria, Scotland, Azerbaijan, Gibraltar
Group C: France, Switzerland, Iceland, Faroe Islands, Luxembourg, Estonia
Group D: England, Republic of Ireland, Slovakia, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Andorra
Group E: Italy, Poland, Sweden, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Armenia
Group F: Germany, Georgia, Greece, Northern Ireland, Latvia, Malta
Group G: Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Israel, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Group H: Ukraine, Croatia, Hungary, Türkiye, Lithuania
Group I: Denmark, Belgium, Austria, Wales, Belarus.