A win by Northern Ireland against Ukraine this evening sets in motion a narrow path to promotion within the Nations League.
The match outcome means the Republic of Ireland side would require only a single point from their fixture with Hungary next week to secure advancement to the top tier.
Prior to this campaign, the team had recorded just one victory across sixteen matches in the second division.
However, eight points accumulated from four games between September and October saw the squad go without conceding a goal.
Michael O'Neill's side could conclude Saturday night as a League A participant for the first time if they secure the necessary three points.
Beyond the immediate promotion, reaching the highest tier would offer intangible benefits to an inexperienced group under O'Neill's management.
Finishing in the top two of their group, confirmed by a draw against Ukraine, would place them among the second group of seeds for the Euro 2028 qualifying draw scheduled in Belfast next month.
That progression depends on Hungary losing to Georgia in Tbilisi at 17:00 GMT before Northern Ireland's home match with Ukraine takes place later.
There remains a potential alternative route through qualification play-offs, mirroring the method used by Northern Ireland to reach just two games from the World Cup earlier this summer after finishing third.
O'Neill has previously arranged friendlies against nations such as Spain and France, receiving praise from Didier Deschamps for taking on the French side before the World Cup despite others hesitating.
The manager believes additional exposure in regular competitive fixtures would be highly advantageous for his largely inexperienced squad.