For the first time in their history, Northern Ireland walked onto the World Cup stage. Peter Doherty led the squad into the unknown.
Northern Ireland's tournament was a mixed affair, with promising moments offset by results that ultimately cut their journey short.
Northern Ireland showed enough quality to navigate a challenging group stage, though not without the occasional stumble. In the knockout rounds, they fell to France in the Quarter-finals. France proved to be a step too far, and Northern Ireland's campaign came to a decisive end in the the quarters.
2won1drawn2lost
6scored10conceded
Debut World Cup, 2 wins and a knockout-stage berth conceded 10 in 5 matches.
Peter McParland led Northern Ireland's attack with 5 goals at the 1958 World Cup. A striker who set the tone early, with goals before the 20th minute that put opponents on the back foot.
The tactical mind behind Northern Ireland's 1958 campaign. Guided Northern Ireland to their first World Cup leading Northern Ireland at his first World Cup.
Peter Doherty's team played an attacking style that yielded five goals but also conceded nine. Their squad size was relatively small at 22 players, reflecting the resources available to a debutant nation.
