How to watch Italy v Northern Ireland, predicted line-ups and more | OneFootball

Italy host Northern Ireland in a World Cup qualification semi-final on Thursday, which could see the Italians progress to the final for the chance to reach the World Cup for the first time since 2014..

Northern Ireland, meanwhile, have not played in a World Cup for 40 years, and boss Michael O’Neill will be desperate to help the country to a historic win by pulling off a huge upset.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the game…

Kick-off time

7:45pm UK time, Thursday March 26

How to watch in the UK

TV: BBC One Northern Ireland/BBC Three

Streaming: BBC iPlayer

Predicted line-ups

Italy (3-5-2): Donnarumma; Bastoni, Mancini, Calafiori; Cambiaso, Tonali, Locatelli, Barella, Dimarco; Kean, Retegui

Northern Ireland (5-3-2): P. Charles; Hume, McConville, Brown, McNair, Devenny; Saville, S. Charles, McCann; Price, Reid

Recent form

Italy are in this position because they finished second in their qualifying group behind Norway, who qualified automatically.

Former Italy midfielder Gennaro Gattuso was appointed in June 2025 and has won five of his six games in charge, however.

Northern Ireland, meanwhile, reached the play-offs because they topped their Nations League group. They actually finished third in their World Cup qualifying group but the Nations League success has given them a second chance.

They won their last game against Luxemborg 1-0, which followed narrow defeats to Germany and Slovakia.

Manager Michael O’Neill is in the uncommon position of holding two roles. He is manager of Northern Ireland, and Blackburn Rovers at the same time.

He took the Blackburn role only last month, and has to juggle trying to save them from relegation from the Championship and attempting to get Northern Ireland to a World Cup.

What’s been said?

Gattuso: “I’ve been coaching for a number of years now, but certainly this game is the most important fixture of my coaching career so far. I’m prepared and, believe me, I’m not thinking about things going badly, I’m thinking positively. 

“I want to think big, and we certainly will compete and we’ll see how things come out.”

O’Neill: “I have a lot of belief in this group of players and it will be a young team that will take the field. I think the benefits you get with youth is a lack of fear. We have everything to gain in the game, there’s no doubt about that. 

“Over the past two years they have really grown and played a lot of international football. It will be a huge test for us, but it’s a test that I believe we’re ready to take.”