2026 World Cup Qualifiers Preview: Norway vs Italy – Team News, Line-ups & Prediction | OneFootball

Italy head to Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo to take on Norway in their opening 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Friday night. Embroiled in UEFA Nations League action in March, Gli Azzurri remain the only team in qualifying Group I yet to play a game in the ongoing cycle.

Unlike Italy, Norway contested two World Cup qualifiers in March. They backed up a thumping 5-0 victory at Moldova with another high-scoring triumph, beating Israel 4-2 on the road to ascend the group throne after the opening two rounds.

In doing so, manager Stale Solbakken may have laid the groundwork for Norway’s first World Cup qualification this century. Indeed, the Norwegians last reached the final tournament in 1998. Therefore, history beckons for the Scandinavians, whose standout performer, Erling Haaland, hopes to feature in a major international competition with his country for the first time.

Though the Italians have been far more regular at top events than their hosts, it’s been a while since they last appeared on the grandest international stage. The four-time world champions have not qualified for the World Cup since 2014, missing out on the 2018 and 2022 editions despite going unbeaten in the previous cycle.

Roberto Mancini’s Italy went unbeaten in all eight group-stage qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup (W4, D4) yet still failed to reach the showpiece in Qatar. Their campaign ended in stunning fashion with a shock playoff defeat to continental minnows North Macedonia.

Match Preview

Norway

Buoyed by back-to-back victories in March, Norway will be out to post a third consecutive win in World Cup qualifying for only the second time this century. Those triumphs form part of their four-match winning streak overall, with Solbakken’s side netting an outstanding 18 goals while only conceding three in return during that impressive sequence.

It stands to reason that Italy’s visit to Oslo will not intimidate the Norwegians, who boast an illustrious home record in World Cup qualifying. They’ve only lost once in their last nine such fixtures (W5, D3), with four of those five wins yielding multi-goal margins, testifying to their dominance and growing confidence on home soil.

However, history doesn’t favor Norway in this match-up by any stretch of the imagination. Norway last defeated Italy in June 2000 and have since struggled in this fixture, losing three of the following four encounters (D1), with each defeat seeing them concede precisely two goals.

But it’s worth noting that the last meeting between these countries dates back to 2015.

Italy

Vying for their first World Cup qualification in over a decade, it’s imperative for Italy to get their Group I campaign off to a flyer. However, their recent form cannot inspire much confidence. Luciano Spalletti’s charges carry an underwhelming three-match winless streak into this showdown (D1, L2), most recently drawing 3-3 against Germany.

Though they faced France and the Germans during that lackluster patch, it’s hardly an excuse for conceding eight times. Therefore, Luciano Spalletti must patch up his fragile backline to increase Italy’s chances of returning to the World Cup finals. The Italians have traditionally fared well defensively in this competition.

Indeed, they’ve kept four consecutive clean sheets in away World Cup qualifiers (W2, D2), last conceding against Sweden in 2017. Yet, the atmosphere around the national team is far from idyllic, especially after Inter Milan star Francesco Acerbi pulled out of the squad earlier this week, blaming a lack of respect from leadership.

Team News

Named among ‘the best center forwards in men’s soccer’ by ESPN, Haaland will likely lead the line for Norway. However, he’s not the only attacking threat, with Atletico Madrid’s Alexander Sorloth and Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard also bringing firepower and creativity to Solbakken’s frontline.

On the other hand, Spalletti cannot count on Alessandro Buongiorno and Matteo Gabbia at the back, as well as Moise Kean upfront. As such, all eyes will be on Alessandro Bastoni and Federico Gatti, with the former seeking redemption for a calamitous performance in Inter’s humiliating 5-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final.

Norway vs Italy Potential Starting Line-ups

Norway (4-4-2): Nyland; Ryerson, Ostigard, Ajer, Wolfe; Odegaard, Berge, Berg, Schjelderup; Sorloth, Haaland.

Italy (3-5-2): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Gatti, Bastoni; Cambiaso, Barella, Ricci, Tonali, Udogie; Raspadori, Retegui.

Norway vs Italy Prediction

Italy would be naive to underestimate the size of the task ahead. Even the world’s leading bookmakers see Norway as pre-match favorites, perhaps best underlining the magnitude of the challenge.

A hard-fought contest is on the cards, and while Norway may carry the edge on paper, Italy’s experience in high-stakes duels could be enough to earn them a share of the spoil.