🇮🇹 Play-offs or direct World Cup spot: how Italy can qualify 👀 | OneFootball

180 decisive minutes. A do-or-die situation, at least as far as direct qualification is concerned.

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Gattuso's Italy is preparing to face Moldova in Chisinau first and then Norway at San Siro in a double commitment that will mark the end of the UEFA qualification path towards the World Cup scheduled next year in Mexico, Canada, and the United States.

The victory in Udine against Israel during the October break secured the mathematical certainty of the playoffs in March, although the Azzurri hope for a sensational twist in the last two days and a photo finish overtake on Haaland and company.

🔥 Italy, another playoff?

If they qualify for the playoffs, it would be Italy's third consecutive playoff. And the precedents certainly do not evoke positive memories…

In 2017, Italy under Ventura was eliminated by Sweden and did not participate in the World Cup in Russia, while in 2022, the defeat against North Macedonia condemned the Azzurri to not participate in the World Cup in Qatar.

🔍 Calculations and scenarios: what is needed for 1st place?

To secure first place and direct qualification, Italy needs a very specific combination of results.

Gattuso's Azzurri should beat Moldova and Norway, earning 6 points, while the Scandinavian national team should at most draw against Estonia, in the match scheduled today at 18:00.

🏆 How do the playoffs work?

If not, Gattuso's Italy's qualification for the World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada will go through the playoffs. On November 20 in Zurich, the draw will determine the pairings. 

Italy will be seeded and will play the semifinal at home on March 26, with possible opponents like Sweden, Wales, North Macedonia, Romania, Northern Ireland, Moldova, or San Marino.

If victorious, the final is scheduled for March 31, on neutral ground, against the winner of another semifinal.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.

📸 STEFANO RELLANDINI - AFP or licensors