The Italian nationwide staff nonetheless have a monumental activity forward of them to succeed in the 2026 World Cup, as a playoff conflict awaits.
Ending second in Group I means Italy should compete in a playoff to safe a spot within the 2026 World Cup – however who might the Azzurri face?
Who Will Italy Play In World Cup 2026 Playoff?
Qualifying for the World Cup is a feat that has remained out of attain for the Italian nationwide aspect since 2014 and the Azzurri nonetheless have work to do in 2026.
Gennaro Gattuso’s aspect completed second in Group I of the World Cup qualification stage, ending their marketing campaign with a humiliating 4-1 defeat by Norway on November sixteenth.
Failing to progress robotically signifies that the Azzurri should face one other set of fixtures to ebook their flight to america subsequent yr, because the match takes place in Christian Pulisic’s dwelling nation.
The USMNT star is about to be one of many largest speaking factors of the match and the World Cup may very well be an important second for the 27-year-old as Pulisic seeks an increased salary with AC Milan.
As a result of their place within the FIFA rankings, Italy might be within the high seed and will go up in opposition to 5 doable nations from pot 4 in Wales, North Macedonia, Romania, Northern Eire, or Sweden.
Wales and North Macedonia will go head-to-head on November 18th, with the winner reserving a spot within the World Cup play-off phases as each nations sit on 13 factors in Group J.
Craig Bellamy’s aspect should pick-up all three factors to leapfrog North Macedonia, because the Welsh boast a considerably worse objective distinction.
Northern Eire and Romania have each cemented a 3rd positioned end in Group A and Group H respectively, with many deeming these nations as a extra favorable opposition for the Azzurri.
As for Sweden, the World Cup qualification stage has been nothing-short of a catastrophe – sitting backside of Group B with only one level from 5 matches.
Graham Potter just lately took the managerial reins in Sweden and the Englishman oversaw a 4-1 defeat by Switzerland in his opening match in cost.
Sweden will progress to the World Cup playoff stage attributable to their Nations League C group victory and might be hoping to see some enhancements beneath Potter.
When Is World Cup 2026 Playoff Draw?
Italy might be eagerly awaiting the World Cup 2026 playoff draw and the choice is about to happen on November twentieth in Zurich, Switzerland.
The precise pot rating might be confirmed as soon as each World Cup qualification match is accomplished on November 18th and Italy are anticipated to be joined by Turkey, Poland and Ukraine within the high seed.
Acting on the worldwide stage is a necessity for the Italian nationwide staff, because the European Championships will happen in Italy in 2032 and the Azzurri will wish to be a high nation when the competitors involves city.
Italy are already getting ready for the 2032 match, selecting the right grounds to host the matches which might embrace the new Cagliari stadium because the Serie A aspect think about plans of an enormous renovation.
Gattuso will concentrate on this burden however the Italian is directing all of his focus to November twentieth and the playoff encounters are set to happen between March Twenty sixth-Thirty first.
When Was Italy’s Final World Cup Playoff Look?
The Azzurri’s document within the World Cup has been disastrous since profitable the competitors in 2006, as Italy haven’t made it previous the group phases in 20-years.
In 2018, the Italian nationwide staff had been crushed 1-0 by Sweden within the opening World Cup playoff phases and missed out on the journey to Russia.
4 years later the Azzurri had been as soon as once more on the receiving finish of a humiliating WC playoff defeat, as Italy suffered a 1-0 defeat by North Macedonia – with the European minnows scoring a 93rd minute winner.
Gattuso’s place as Italy supervisor might be reliant on qualifying for the World Cup in 2026 and the long-lasting midfielder might be relieved of his duties if the Azzurri don’t ebook a spot within the iconic soccer match.
