Dan Ballard of Sunderland has been predicted to captain Northern Ireland in the run-up to the 2026 World Cup.
Journalist Mark Sterling of BBC Sport has projected that the “promising” defender will likely wear the armband throughout the ensuing years.
Dan Ballard, whose mother qualifies him to represent Northern Ireland, was born in Stevenage.
The center defender didn’t make his debut until September 2020, although he progressed through the ranks with Northern Ireland before being called up to the senior team for the first time in 2019.
Despite missing six games in the last year or so due to injury, Ballard has already earned 21 caps for his country and has played a significant role for it when healthy.
Ballard, who is well-liked both at the club and national levels, will strive to replace the retiring Craig Cathcart and the soon-to-be-retired Jonny Evans.
Ballard would have a “strong case” to take over as Northern Ireland’s captain in the future, according to Mark Sterling.
“It will take 18 months to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, and [Michael] O’Neill might choose to name one of his talented young players as his captain for that tournament,” Sterling said to BBC Sport.
“Dan Ballard, a defender for Sunderland, would have a good argument to be that guy. In the 21 games since making his debut in September 2020, the 24-year-old has established himself as a key player for the squad and has grown more assured and dominant at the back.
“A few heads may have raised when Evans gave Ballard the captain’s armband when he went off against San Marino last month, but when questioned afterwards, the United player spoke highly of his defensive partner’s qualities.”
Will Dan Ballard lead his nation and club as captain?
Even though I don’t watch much of Dan Ballard for Northern Ireland, I’m confident in saying that the defender will be an excellent Sunderland captain in the future.
The product of the Arsenal system is years ahead of his time and plays with the maturity, dedication, and drive of Luke O’Nien, all while remaining true to his leadership qualities.
If Dan Neil hadn’t been on Wear side for so long, Ballard might have started as captain against Birmingham City, but in the coming years, I would definitely give the defender the armband instead of Neil.
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