Italy fans have mixed feelings as some root for Northern Ireland in World Cup play-off | OneFootball

Supporters have been sharing their thoughts and opinions ahead of Italy’s World Cup play-off semi-final on Thursday evening, but not everybody will be cheering on the Azzurri, as some Italians appear to be rooting for tonight’s opponents, Northern Ireland: ‘Go on, send Gravina home’.

Italy are hosting Northern Ireland at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo for the World Cup play-off semi-final on Thursday evening. The winner of tonight’s tie will go on to face either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina away from home in the play-off final on Tuesday night.

Despite having four World Cup trophies in the cabinet, bettered only by Brazil, the Azzurri have not qualified for the final tournament since 2014 and have not featured in the knock-out stages since beating France in the 2006 final.

If Italy fail to win both of their matches this international break, they will miss out on the World Cup for the third tournament cycle in a row.

Italy supporters’ opinions ahead of Northern Ireland play-off

Plenty of Azzurri supporters have sent their best wishes to the national team ahead of Thursday night’s play-off semi-final against Northern Ireland, but give frustrations with the national team and the FIGC over the last decade, and with some club loyalties coming into play, not all Italians appear to be behind Gennaro Gattuso and his players.

“Come on Northern Ireland, we’re with you! Send Gravina home,” one disgruntled supporter wrote on X, frustrated with the team’s performance under the current FIGC President.

“Northern Ireland have never had as many fans as this,” another joked.

“We’ll only support Italy when Gravina resigns, so come on Northern Ireland,” another added.

Another wrote: “Today more than ever, Forza Northern Ireland. So that these idiots who hold the top positions in Italian football can definitively go and f*** themselves. Go on the Belfast Boys.”

One supporter wrote: “The national team with Bastoni and Gravina is not my national team. Forza Northern Ireland.”

FLORENCE, ITALY – OCTOBER 08: Alessandro Bastoni of Italy looks on prior to the Italy training session at Centro Tecnico Federale di Coverciano on October 08, 2024 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

Not all Italy supporters share the same opinions, though: “Us Italians with brains are all behind you. The sell-outs on the other hand will keep jeering as always. Seeing them put down makes us enjoy it three times more,” one supporter wrote on X.

Another added: “Never seen a country hate its national team so much as Italy. No wonder the main issue is mental. Who wouldn’t be in this situation with ‘fans’ like these. Forza Italia sempre.”

Other fans are more confident, while some feel that Italy will have no issues getting past Northern Ireland, but may run into trouble away from home should they qualify for the final. Others are feeling a whole mix of emotions rolled into one.

“Feel ok today. If we can’t beat N Ireland at home then we just don’t deserve to go. Period. Nothing to worry about,” one fan wrote.

MILAN – NOVEMBER 16: Players of Italy pose for a team photograph prior to 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)

“Knots in my stomach. I’m optimistic we get to Tuesday at the very least,” another fan added. Similarly, another fan claimed: “Today, in some way, we will win. But I’m scared for Tuesday.”

“We can’t afford to stay out of the World Cup for the third time. Italy needs to reclaim its place,” another supporter wrote on X.