Italy are aiming to qualify for his or her first World Cup finals since 2014.
The 2026 World Cup playoff draw has been accomplished and Italy received’t face Sweden or North Macedonia within the semi-final stage.
4 years in the past, the Azzurri suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to the Macedonians within the semis. That loss continues to be thought to be one of the vital damaging leads to Italian soccer historical past.
Previous to that, the Swedes received the higher of the four-time winners for the 2018 version. The Scandinavians additionally received 1-0 within the tie which was performed over two legs.
Nonetheless, Italy supporters have reacted nicely to the information that they’ve averted each nations. Actually, many are quietly assured that qualification to the finals will likely be comfortably achieved.
Our play-off path is ready ⚽️#Azzurri #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/l4WjhnM7L9
— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri_En) November 20, 2025
World Cup Playoff Draw – Italy’s Semi-Ultimate Opponent
Though Thaigo Motta is being tipped to turn into the next Italy manager, present head coach Gennaro Gattuso has been given a comparatively type 2026 World Cup playoff draw.
Gattuso’s place has come below query in current days after the Azzurri didn’t qualify robotically to subsequent yr’s extravaganza in North America.
Nonetheless, the 2006 winner will pit his wits towards Northern Eire on house soil within the semi-final fixture. The sport will likely be performed on March 26.
FootItalia’s supercomputer has already predicted Italy to beat the Irish 3-0. A outcome through which Gattuso can be more than pleased to see come to fruition within the new yr.
Who Might Italy Face In The Ultimate Of The World Cup Playoff?
If Italy does get the higher of Northern Eire – a nation they’ve misplaced to solely as soon as in the complete historical past – the winner of Wales vs Bosnia & Herzegovina would be the Azzurri’s closing opponent.
That fixture will likely be performed away from house and can happen on March 31. The 4 time winners will likely be pretty assured of beating both nation.
Actually, the Italians have solely misplaced two of their eight fixtures towards the Dragons – profitable the opposite six. The final two conferences have ended up in victory with the latest being a 1-0 win in 2021.
As for Bosnia, the Balkan nation has solely crushed Italy as soon as throughout six earlier encounters. The Azzurri have additionally received their final two H2H matches with the newest being a 1-0 pleasant win in June 2024.
Italy Followers React To The 2026 World Cup Playoff Draw
Now Italy’s path to the 2026 World Cup is crystal clear, many posted on-line in regards to the end result of the draw. Naturally, supporters had been comfortable to keep away from Sweden and North Macedonia.
“Fortunately we averted the armored battleships North Macedonia and Sweden which have already damage us badly,” one person posted on social media platform X.
One other acknowledged: “With all due respect to the opponents, you may’t be afraid to play towards Eire or to go to Cardiff or to Sarajevo.”
“It may’ve been worse. Not less than it wasn’t the Eire crew with that Parrot dude. Yikes,” learn one other message.
Nonetheless, quite a lot of followers are considerably involved in regards to the potential closing. With a visit to Wales being thought-about more durable than it seems.
One person posted: “We’ll beat Eire…….however that Wales crew beats Italy, that hurts to say however it’s true!”
“Two finals, Northern Eire higher not be taken with no consideration like North Macedonia, in any other case a 3rd consecutive World Cup will likely be missed,” bemoaned one other.
“In the present day’s Italy is so mediocre and mentally fragile that it might probably completely lose towards all of them. Particularly Wales away from house,” tweeted a supporter.
Gennaro Gattuso Reacts To The World Cup Playoff Draw
With the house semi-final conflict developing towards Northern Eire in March, Head coach Gennaro Gattuso mirrored on the World Cup playoff draw.
“It’s a bodily crew; they by no means hand over,” Gattuso instructed Sky Sport Italia in regards to the Irish.
“We’ve to play it. I’ve been saying this for 3 months. We knew we needed to undergo the playoffs; we knew our path had to enhance. We glance forward with confidence.”
With Federico Chiesa’s Italy future unclear under Gattuso, the 47-year-old opened up in regards to the Liverpool ahead and his possibilities of returning to the squad.
“You understand it nicely. You understand Chiesa’s downside. You all the time ask me the identical factor. I name Chiesa in each call-up; I all the time discuss to him. The issue will not be Gattuso or his workers; he has an issue, not us.”
