Archive · 21 Nov 2025
Italy's World Cup Hopes Rest on Beating Northern Ireland
Italy, who missed the last two World Cups, is playing Northern Ireland in the World Cup playoffs.
The winner will play Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina to qualify for the first 48-team World Cup.
Northern Ireland's coach thinks there will be a lot of pressure on Italy.
Italy faces Northern Ireland in World Cup playoffs on March 26
Winner plays Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina in the final
First 48-team World Cup to be co-hosted by US, Canada, Mexico
Northern Ireland coach sees pressure on Italy
Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso declined to comment
- Who
- Italy, Northern Ireland
- What
- play in World Cup playoffs
- When
- March 26, 2023
- Where
- Italy (first leg), Northern Ireland (second leg)
- Why
- To qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Italy
Northern Ireland
Pressure
Italy
High, seeking to end 12-year World Cup drought
Northern Ireland
Low, has nothing to lose
- World Cup format
- 48 teams
- Co-host countries
- United States, Canada, Mexico
- Italy's last World Cup
- 2014
- Northern Ireland's last World Cup
- 1986
Sources
FIFA World Cup 2026: What To Know About playoffs For Next Year's Tournament
New FIFA rankings set top-seed teams in World Cup tournament draw with Germany edging out Croatia
Who’s up and who’s down by how many places in the latest FIFA rankings
Italy to face Northern Ireland in 2026 World Cup playoffs
Italy Seek FIFA World Cup Redemption In High Stakes Playoff Against Northern Ireland
FIFA World Cup 2026 status check: With 42 slots out of 48 confirmed, which are the teams still in contention across all continents?
UEFA reveals 2026 World Cup play-offs draw: Italy to host Northern Ireland, Sweden takes on Ukraine
Italy has to beat Northern Ireland then Wales or Bosnia to return to the World Cup
