Italy set for Haaland World Cup qualifying check after Nations League exit

Italy must cope with the specter of Manchester Metropolis and Norway striker Erling Haaland in 2026 World Cup qualifying after their exit from the Nations League.

The outcomes of the Nations League quarter-finals finalised the line-up for UEFA qualifying for subsequent 12 months’s finals, which bought underway this week.

The Azzurri will begin their marketing campaign to safe a spot within the 48-team match in June. They go into Group I because of their quarter-final loss to Germany.

Italy’s first sport can be in opposition to Norway in Oslo, with Haaland prone to relish a gathering with a facet that conceded a weird second objective of their 3-3 second-leg draw with Germany on Sunday. Haaland was on track as Norway began their try to qualify for the World Cup for the primary time since 1998 with a 5-0 win over Moldova.

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Group I additionally options Israel and Estonia.

Germany, in the meantime, are already secured of not less than a play-off spot on the premise of their Nations League rating. Die Mannschaft can be anticipated to breeze by means of Group A, by which they may face Slovakia, Northern Eire and Luxembourg.

France start in opposition to Ukraine

France are searching for to succeed in a 3rd successive World Cup closing, and Ukraine can be their first opponents on September 5.

Les Bleus, who — like Germany and fellow Nations League semi-finalists Spain and Portugal — are assured of not less than a play-off spot, enter Group D. Iceland and Azerbaijan make up the remainder of that group.

Spain go into Group E alongside Turkey, Georgia and Bulgaria. La Roja beat Georgia en path to glory in Euro 2024 final 12 months. For Portugal, it’s Hungary, Republic of Eire and Armenia in Group F.

Netherlands suffered defeat to Spain on penalties within the Nations League final eight and, because of this, they enter Group G. Finland, Poland, Lithuania and Malta can be their opposition, with a visit to Helsinki first up on June 7.

Croatia’s shootout loss to France means they may participate in Group L, which Montenegro and Czech Republic opened with victories over Gibraltar and Faroe Islands respectively. The 2018 World Cup finalists start in opposition to Gibraltar in June.

Denmark are in Group C alongside Scotland, Greece and Belarus.