What Italy need to qualify for 2026 World Cup | OneFootball

With the World Cup group stage draw taking place on Friday, December 5, 2026, we take a look at what Italy need to be in the competition hosted by the USA, Mexico and Canada next year.

The Azzurri once again finished as runners-up in their World Cup qualifying group, so they’ve been forced to go through the play-off to qualify for the tournament.

Italy Group I runners-up

MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 16: Erling Haaland of Norway celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Norway at San Siro Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Italy earned 18 points in Group I, winning six matches and losing twice to Norway, conceding seven goals and scoring just once across the two meetings with the Scandinavians.

Italy had already missed out on World Cup qualifications in 2018 and 2022, losing in the play-off to Sweden and North Macedonia, respectively.

Italy’s World Cup play-off opponents

BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: (EDITORS NOTE: In this photo taken from a remote camera from behind the goal) Moise Kean of Italy scores his team’s a first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Estonia at Stadio di Bergamo on September 05, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)

This time around, they’ll face Northern Ireland in the World Cup play-off semi-final on March 26, 2026. On Thursday, the FIGC confirmed that the match would be played in Bergamo.

If the Azzurri progress to the final, they’ll visit Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina in a final played away from home on March 31.

Technically, Italy are just two victories away from the 2026 World Cup qualification, but this doesn’t mean Gattuso has an easy task, given the expectation of seeing the Azzurri back on the world stage after a 12-year absence.