What Italy need to qualify for 2026 World Cup

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Football Italia

·6 Juni 2025

What Italy need to qualify for 2026 World Cup

Italy have started their journey in the World Cup qualifiers with a 3-0 loss against Norway on Friday. So, what will they need to qualify for the 2026 World Cup?

Italy’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup significantly decreased on Friday as the Azzurri collapsed in their opening qualifying match in Norway.

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MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 20: Luciano Spalletti, Head Coach of Italy, reacts during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal leg one match between Italy and Germany at Stadio San Siro on March 20, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Erling Haaland and his teammates had already played two games, winning both, so they are now the group leaders with nine points.

Only the group winners qualify for the 2026 World Cup, while runners-up must go through the playoff, precisely what happened to the Azzurri the last two times they tried to get a pass for the competition.

What happens if two teams finish level on points in World Cup qualifiers

LINZ, AUSTRIA – OCTOBER 13: Erling Haaland of Norway speaks with teammate Andreas Hanche-Olsen during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League B Group B3 match between Austria and Norway at Raiffeisen Arena on October 13, 2024 in Linz, Austria. (Photo by Christian Bruna/Getty Images)

If two teams finish level on points at the top, the one with the better goal difference qualifies directly for the 2026 World Cup.

Norway have not only collected nine points in the opening three games, but their goal difference is also pretty high at 10.

Italy were placed in Group I after elimination from the Nations League quarter-finals against Germany in March.

Italy and Norway will meet again in the second-leg match on November 16.

Click here for the full Italy fixture list in the World Cup qualifiers.

Luciano Spalletti, Head Coach of Italy, interacts with Mateo Retegui of Italy after the team’s defeat in the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Spain and Italy at Arena AufSchalke on June 20, 2024 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images for FIGC)