World Cup play-off draw reactions: Was it good or bad for Italy?

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Football Italia

·20 November 2025

World Cup play-off draw reactions: Was it good or bad for Italy?

There are mixed reactions to the World Cup play-off draw that put Italy up against Northern Ireland in the semifinal, but will also force the Azzurri to play the potential final away in Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Italy learned their World Cup play-off opponents on Thursday.

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The Azzurri were paired with Northern Ireland in the semifinal, and if they advance, they’ll face either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina in an away Final.

Gattuso’s reaction to Italy facing Northern Ireland in the World Cup play-off

UDINE, ITALY – OCTOBER 14: Gennaro Gattuso, Head Coach of Italy, interacts with Gianluigi Donnarumma of Italy after the team’s victory in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Israel at Stadio Friuli on October 14, 2025 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Gennaro Gattuso said he will work on Italy’s mindset rather than tactics, as currently the Azzurri’s “fragility” is their biggest problem.

Marco Materazzi, who had won the 2006 World Cup alongside Gattuso, warned that there are no more easy games in international football but remained confident about the Azzurri’s quality.

As usual, there were plenty of reactions on social media, and even though Northern Ireland were the lowest-ranked among Italy’s possible semifinal opponents, some users were not too happy with the outcome.

Clearly, playing the potential final away, especially in countries with great home support, like Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina, is not ideal, but it’s the consequence of falling short of securing direct World Cup qualification.

Italy’s World Cup play-off draw: reactions

BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Gennaro Gattuso, Head Coach of Italy during the National anthems prior to 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)

Below are some of the best reactions from X social media to Italy’s World Cup play-off draw, but don’t forget to share your thoughts in the comments section too.

Good draw for Italy but playing Wales in Cardiff or Bosnia away will be tricky as both teams have unbelievable home support. But first things first: beat Northern Ireland — Nima Tavallaey Roodsari (@NimaTavRood) November 20, 2025

Italy had one of worse possible draw: Northern Ireland were second strongest from Pot 4; Italy eventually would play the final away at Wales-Bosnia winner home; and Wales were second strongest of Pot 2… — Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) November 20, 2025

UEFA World Cup Playoffs – Qualifying Probabilities Path A 🇮🇹 Italy – 62.2% 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Wales – 30.0% 🇧🇦 Bosnia-Herzegovina – 4.0% Northern Ireland – 3.8% Path B 🇺🇦 Ukraine – 42.6% 🇵🇱 Poland – 26.3% 🇸🇪 Sweden – 21.1% 🇦🇱 Albania – 10.0% Path C 🇹🇷 Türkiye – 52.2% 🇸🇰 Slovakia – 26.8% 🇽🇰… — We Global Football (@We_Global) November 20, 2025

Northern Ireland for Italy IF they win, Wales or Bosnia to finally make a World Cup…. Please don’t embarrass us — Martino Puccio (@MartinoPuccio) November 20, 2025

Wales won’t fear Italy if to comes to it same with Northern Ireland just need a perfect performance there Italy been very poor — Owen (@Owene2220) November 20, 2025

If Italy fail to beat Northern Ireland or Bosnia & Herzegovina/Wales, the entire national team organization is dead. I’m not Italian nor a fan, but you can’t let this happen again for the third time. You’re the 4x world champion ffs. https://t.co/4Pv1Ewm2zB — Sir Spicy III (@Juan18Antonio) November 20, 2025

Wales v Italy looks tasty …….but Ireland vs Denmark looks like the most evenly matched assuming they all get through the first round……sorry Northern Ireland …..make me eat my words — wigbert jun il 🇨🇦 🇲🇽 🇺🇦 🇬🇱 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 (@markooj) November 20, 2025

Republic of Ireland different to Northern Ireland. tough for Rep Ireland too though. Both wales and Ireland do have home draws to italy and Denmark if they’re in the final though. pic.twitter.com/N8lKcuURBL — PsychEdMutant 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧 (@dudulives24) November 20, 2025

Italy is looking very likely to miss another World Cup. Northern Ireland is beatable on a good day for Italy. But they’ll struggle to get a result vs Wales or Bosnia. — Max King Jay (@MaxKingJ) November 20, 2025

If Italy does not beat friggin Northern Ireland I’m going to be very upset on multiple levels. #WorldCup2026 🇮🇹⚽ #Soccer https://t.co/YVUrZ6rtO1 — Andrew🌴XIV (@PastaGut) November 20, 2025

If we’re scared go play Northern Ireland and one of Wales or Bosnia, we might as well stay home. These teams should be no issue to Italy if they simply show up and play with balls and effort — JasonSharky🇨🇦🇮🇹🏒🥅 (@jacassetta) November 20, 2025