Italy's World Cup hopes hang by a playoff thread

Italy's path to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is not guaranteed, as the Azzurri must now contest a playoff round. Having finished as runners-up in their UEFA qualification group behind Norway, the four-time champions were not among the direct qualifiers for the tournament in North America.

Under the management of Gennaro Gattuso, Italy's qualification campaign was inconsistent. They secured six wins from eight matches but suffered two defeats against group winners Norway, including a significant 3-0 loss in Oslo in June 2025. Erling Haaland was a formidable opponent, finishing as the top scorer in the UEFA qualifying section.

The Azzurri have been placed in Playoff Path A, a four-team knockout bracket. Italy will host Northern Ireland in a semifinal match on March 26 in Bergamo. The winner of this tie will then face the victor of the Bosnia & Herzegovina vs. Wales semifinal for a single World Cup spot.

The final of Path A, determining qualification, is scheduled for March 31. The location will depend on the outcome of the Wales and Bosnia & Herzegovina fixture, either in Cardiff or Zenica.