Italy can keep away from the World Cup playoffs and end prime by reaching a scoreline they’ve solely ever pulled off as soon as of their complete historical past.
The Azzurri limped to a 2-0 win in Moldova on November 13. Late targets from Gianluca Mancini and Francesco Pio Esposito ensured most factors on the Zimbru Stadium.
Nonetheless, their efforts could be deemed futile. Norway romped to a 4-1 win towards Estonia simply hours earlier. On matchday 8, the 2 go head-to-head in Milan.
Two late targets and we come away with the win ✅#MDAITA #Azzurri #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/f4wCYH4mGc
— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri_En) November 13, 2025
What Italy Should Do To Keep away from The World Cup Playoffs
When Italy welcomes Norway to the San Siro on November 16, the Azzurri want a NINE-goal victory to pip the Scandinavians to prime spot in Group I.
As unlikely as that appears, the Italians could as properly go for it. Nonetheless, Stale Solbakken’s facet has an ideal file in 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying.
The Crimson, White and Blues have defeated all earlier than them thus far – incomes 21 factors from seven matches. That after all, included a 3-0 victory over the Italians on matchday 1.
Not solely that, the Norwegians have scored a vastly spectacular 33 instances. No different facet in European qualifying has netted greater than 22 (Netherlands).
When it comes to the highest scorer, that honor – unsurprisingly – belongs to Erling Haaland. The Manchester Metropolis star has scored 14 instances which included a five-goal haul towards Moldova in September.
His tally alone is greater than the likes of Germany, France and Portugal’s complete return. With the above in thoughts, Italy – who’re second on 18 factors – wants a minor miracle to bypass the World Cup playoffs.
With Federico Chiesa’s future in doubt under Gennaro Gattuso, it seems the Nazionale head coach greatest put together for March’s semi-final and potential ultimate. Failure there can even solid big doubt over his personal future within the dugout.
It’s virtually unprecedented that the four-time winners will miss out for a 3rd successive event. Sweden beat them within the 2018 playoff with North Macedonia doing the identical for the 2022 version.
World Cup Playoffs – Italy’s Potential Opponents
Strongly assuming that Italy doesn’t beat Norway by 9 targets on November 16, they’ll entertain a World Cup playoff semi-final on March 26.
That might be a one-legged affair performed on residence soil. The Azzurri – who’re seeded as a pot 1 nation – will play a rustic ranked in pot 4.
Ought to they progress, a one-off ultimate will happen on March 31. The draw for the playoffs will happen on November 20 – after the conclusion of all of the qualifiers.
When it comes to potential semi-final opponents, Gennaro Gattuso’s facet can meet any certainly one of Wales/Poland, Romania, Sweden or Northern Eire. Naturally, they’ll need to keep away from the Swedes however the Scandinavians want a variety of outcomes to go of their favor.
In actual fact, if Kosovo earns a degree towards Slovenia, the boys in yellow are out. It’s so simple as that so Gattuso can look in direction of one of many different three potential opponents – all of whom they’ll fancy their probabilities towards.
Within the ultimate, Gattuso will seemingly line-up towards any certainly one of Scotland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Albania, North Macedonia, Iceland, Bosnia & Herzegovina or the Kosovans.
Gattuso will need to keep away from the North Macedonians after Italy’s disaster-class within the 2022 playoffs. On paper, all the nations other than the Tartan Military and the Czechs would swimsuit the Azzurri.
Italy’s Largest Ever Soccer Wins
Italy’s largest ever soccer win was the truth is a 9-0 thrashing towards the USA. That victory was recorded on the 1948 Olympic Video games that have been hosted in London.
Probably the most the Azzurri have scored in a single match occurred within the 11-3 trouncing over Egypt in 1928. Curiously, that too was on the Olympic Video games.
Extra lately, Armenia was put to the sword with a 9-1 loss in Euro 2020 qualifying. A event of which the Italians would go on to win.
Neighbors San Marino have additionally been on the receiving finish of the Azzurri’s wrath. The soccer minnows have been overwhelmed 7-0 in a pleasant 4 years in the past.
Though the 9-0 victory is required on November 16, it does appear unbelievable that Gennaro Gattuso might be becoming a member of Fabio Cannavaro’s Uzbekistan within the event, but.
The 2 have been a part of the 2006 winning-squad and might be determined to reunite within the US, Canada and Mexico subsequent summer season. Nonetheless, Gattuso will certainly must take the laborious path to the Land of Alternative.
What Are Norway’s Heaviest Ever Soccer Defeats?
Norway can virtually begin planning their journey to North America. Taking a look at their heaviest defeats and making use of widespread sense, they received’t want the World Cup playoffs.
The most important losses they’ve endured occurred over 80 years. The Scandinavians have been overwhelmed 12-0 by neighbors Denmark in a pleasant in 1917.
Additionally they misplaced 10-0 to Sweden in a pleasant that was performed simply months after WW2. Curiously, their largest defeat from 2000 onward truly occurred towards the USMNT.
Taylor Twellman helped himself to a hat-trick within the 5-0 pleasant victory again in 2006. The Crimson, White and Blues additionally took a 5-1 battering towards Croatia in Euro 2016 qualifying.
