Who Italy will face after World Cup play-off semi-final win as next opponents revealed

In partnership with

Evening Standard

·26 March 2026

Who Italy will face after World Cup play-off semi-final win as next opponents revealed

Azzurri extend unbeaten run against Northern Ireland to nine games

Italy will take part in a World Cup play-off final after winning their semi-final showdown against Northern Ireland.

OneFootball Videos

The Azzurri - who last won the World Cup in 2006 - have failed to qualify for the last two tournaments, meaning they were under immense pressure to end their hiatus.

Fortunately for Gennaro Gattuso’s side, they remain on track to be in with a chance of being crowned world champions for a fifth time, thus equalling Brazil’s record.

Italy required two second half goals from Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean to break down a stubborn Northern Ireland side in Bergamo on Thursday night.

Speaking after the game, Tonali said: "We've seen monsters this week while we were preparing for this game, because it's natural to think about what Italy have done in recent years [failing to qualify for two successive World Cup tournaments].

“I'm not saying we were scared, but unfortunately it can happen to think about those defeats.

“We were tense and a little scared at times, but in the second half we freed ourselves from all that. We had to win no matter what, no matter how. We have a goal and we have to achieve it no matter what.

“It was the most important goal of my career so far, along with the [last-gasp] one I scored against Lazio [in Serie A in 2021/22] when I was at Milan.

“I dedicate it to everyone in the team because everyone deserves to go to the World Cup."

On target: Sandro Tonali

Getty Images

As a result of their 2-0 win, Italy will face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Cup play-off final next Tuesday at the Bilino Polje Stadium in Zenica.

Bosnia ended Wales’ World Cup dream via a penalty shootout in Cardiff with Kerim Alajbegovic proving to be the hero after both Brennan Johnson and Neco Williams had missed for the hosts.

Italy have not lost to Bosnia since an international friendly in November 1996 and will be hoping to claim victory to qualify for their first World Cup since 2014 when they failed to get past the group stage.

The winners will join Canada, Qatar and Switzerland in Group B at this summer’s showpiece event.