World Cup Playoffs: Rules, venues and Italy’s possible opponents | OneFootball

Italy may be forced to go through the World Cup playoffs again, especially after Norway’s 11-1 win over Moldova, and ironically, Sweden and North Macedonia are currently among their possible opponents in the semis.

Italy sit second in Group I, six points below Norway with a game in hand, but with a significant disadvantage in goal difference.

As things stand, the Azzurri would be forced to play the World Cup playoffs to qualify for the 2026 tournament. They were eliminated in the same stage in 2018 and 2022 by Sweden and North Macedonia, respectively.

Ironically, the same two countries are among the possible Azzurri opponents, but upcoming games in October and November will determine the teams taking part in the World Cup playoffs.

As explained by UEFA, the 12 group runners-up will participate in the playoffs, along with the four best-ranked group winners of the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League that did not finish their European Qualifiers group stage in first or second place.

World Cup playoff rules

BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Moise Kean of Italy in action 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)

The 16 teams that enter the playoffs will be drawn into four playoff paths, with four teams in each. Playoff matches will be played in single-leg semifinals, followed by single-leg finals within the same international window in March 2026.

The 16 teams participating in the playoffs will be put into four pots: the four teams with the better FIFA ranking go in Pot 1. Pot 2 and Pot 3 follow the same criteria, while Pot 4 will include the Nations League teams.

Teams from Pot 1 will meet those from Pot 4, and teams from Pot 3 will meet teams from Pot 2.

The semifinal will be played at the home of the better-placed team in the FIFA Ranking, while a draw will determine the final’s venue.

Each of the two games will last 90 minutes with potential extra time and a penalty shootout.

The two winners from Pot 1 v. Pot 4 will meet the two winners from Pot 2 v Pot 3 in the Final.

Italy’s possible opponents in World Cup playoffs

SOLNA, SWEDEN – NOVEMBER 16: Carl Starfelt and Alexander Isak of Sweden during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League C Group C1 match between Sweden and Slovakia at Strawberry Arena on November 16, 2024 in Solna, Sweden. (Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images)

As reported by Gazzetta on Wednesday, Italy are likely to be in Pot 1, which means that the possible opponents in the semifinals are currently Sweden, Northern Ireland, Moldova, and San Marino.

Obviously, it is way more unpredictable to know the possible opponents in the potential final, but currently, Slovakia, Armenia, Scotland, Greece, Iceland, Georgia, Turkey, North Macedonia, Wales, Serbia and the Czech Republic seem to be the better-placed.