2026 World Cup qualifiers: Who will Italy or Northern Eire play?

Italy are aiming to keep away from lacking out on a 3rd successive version of the World Cup finals when the Azzurri participate within the play-offs.

Their preliminary opponents are a visiting Northern Eire aspect hoping to finish a 40-year exile from the World Cup.

The victors of the one-match tie should then win a one-legged remaining on March 31 to safe their spot on the match, which begins in June and is being co-hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico.

Right here’s who Italy or Northern Eire will meet on the match in the event that they qualify, in addition to a take a look at their potential schedule.

2026 World Cup qualifiers: Italy, Northern Eire path

The winners of the semi-final will go to the winners of the tie between Wales and Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is going down in Cardiff on the similar time on March 27.

The ultimate will happen on Tuesday, March 31 (19:45 BST), with the winners advancing to the World Cup.

Thirty minutes of additional time and penalties shall be used within the play-off ties, if vital. 

World Cup 2026: Italy, Northern Eire group, groups

The draw for the finals has already taken place, placing the victors on this play-off path in Group B.

Right here’s how that group appears to be like, together with a take a look at every staff’s FIFA rating earlier than the play-off semi-finals.

Switzerland are the highest-ranked staff, with Canada probably buoyed by their standing as co-hosts on the finals.

Qatar – led by former Actual Madrid and Spain boss Julen Lopetegui – hosted the 2022 version.

FIFA World Cup: Italy, Northern Eire schedule, fixtures

The trail winners will meet Canada first, then Switzerland and Qatar.

Ought to they win their group on the World Cup, Italy or Northern Eire will face one of many eight best-performing groups to have completed third among the many 12 teams.

In the event that they end second, they may meet the runners-up from Group A, which can include Mexico, South Korea, South Africa and a European play-off winner.

In the event that they attain the knockout stage as a third-placed staff, they may encounter the winners of Group D or E. The USA, Australia, Paraguay, a European play-off winner, Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast and Ecuador are in these sections.

Take a look at the complete World Cup bracket.

When does the 2026 FIFA World Cup begin?

The World Cup begins with a gathering between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico Metropolis on June 11 (20:00 BST).

What are Italy and Northern Eire’s World Cup prospects?

With Italy twelfth within the rankings and Northern Eire 69th, there could be a distinction in expectations for both nation within the occasion of both qualifying.

New Italy supervisor Gennaro Gattuso, who changed Luciano Spalletti halfway by a qualifying marketing campaign wherein his nation completed second of their part to Norway, performed a pivotal half of their fourth and most up-to-date World Cup triumph in 2006.

Northern Eire reached the quarter-finals in 1958 and 1982 and went out within the group stage on their final look in 1986.

With Michael O’Neill on the helm for a second spell, Northern Eire completed third of their qualifying group this time – behind part winners Germany and second-placed Slovakia – however reached the play-offs courtesy of their Nations League efficiency.