Italy are aiming to keep away from lacking out on a 3rd successive version of the World Cup finals when the Azzurri participate within the play-offs.
Their preliminary opponents have been a visiting Northern Eire aspect hoping to finish a 40-year exile from the World Cup.
They now face a one-legged closing on March 31 to safe their spot on the match, which begins in June and is being co-hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Right here’s who Italy will meet on the match in the event that they qualify, in addition to a take a look at their potential schedule.
2026 World Cup qualifiers: Italy path
Italy will go to Bosnia and Herzegovina, who beat Wales on penalties in Cardiff of their semi-final on March 27.
The ultimate will happen on Tuesday, March 31 (19:45 BST), with the winners advancing to the World Cup.
Thirty minutes of additional time and penalties might be used, if needed.
World Cup 2026: Italy group, groups
The draw for the finals has already taken place, placing the victors on this play-off path in Group B.
Right here’s how that group seems, together with every crew’s FIFA rating earlier than the play-off semi-finals.
| Nation | Rank |
| Switzerland | 18 |
| Canada | 29 |
| Qatar | 56 |
Switzerland are the highest-ranked crew already confirmed within the group, with Canada doubtlessly buoyed by their standing as co-hosts on the finals.
Qatar – led by former Actual Madrid and Spain boss Julen Lopetegui – hosted the 2022 version.
FIFA World Cup: Italy schedule, fixtures
The trail winners will meet Canada first, then Switzerland and Qatar.
| Date | Opponents | BST | ET | PT | Venue |
| June 12 | Canada | 20:00 | 15:00 | 12:00 | BMO Subject, Toronto |
| June 18 | Switzerland | 04:00* | 23:00 | 20:00 | SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles |
| June 24 | Qatar | 04:00* | 23:00 | 20:00 | Lumen Subject, Seattle |
Ought to they win their group on the World Cup, Italy will face one of many eight best-performing groups to have completed third among the many 12 teams.
In the event that they end second, they may meet the runners-up from Group A, which is able to comprise Mexico, South Korea, South Africa and a European play-off winner.
In the event that they attain the knockout stage as a third-placed crew, they may encounter the winners of Group D or E. The USA, Australia, Paraguay, a European play-off winner, Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast and Ecuador are in these sections.
Take a look at the total World Cup bracket.
When does the 2026 FIFA World Cup begin?
The World Cup begins with a gathering between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico Metropolis on June 11 (20:00 BST).
What are Italy’s World Cup prospects?
At twelfth within the rankings, Italy would doubtless be thought of darkish horses on the finals.
New Italy supervisor Gennaro Gattuso, who changed Luciano Spalletti halfway by way of a qualifying marketing campaign through which his nation completed second of their part to Norway, performed a pivotal half of their fourth and most up-to-date World Cup triumph in 2006.
