Italy requires a minor miracle if it’s to bag automatic qualification to the 2026 World Cup on Sunday when it travels to the San Siro to take on Italy. Erling Haaland and company have enjoyed a seamless run through UEFA qualifying thus far and sit atop Group I, three points ahead of Italy and with a far superior goal difference.

Italy will now have to go through the World Cup play-off system again. The semi-finals will take place on March 26 and the finals will take place a few days later on March 31.

Italy failed to qualify for both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. Their route to the 2026 finals has been complicated.

The Italy national team are heading for the World Cup play-offs for the third cycle in a row, which leaves Gennaro Gattuso with several big decisions to make

Also because, in case of qualification, the path to the World Cup could be easier, at least on paper. According to Football Meets Data, FIFA is actually considering changing the way the groups are decided. How? By giving priority to the ranking.

The World Cup qualifiers are almost complete but for several countries an anxious wait remains before the full line-up for next summer’s tournament is confirmed. There will be 16 European teams who advance to March’s play-offs,

The Italy national team are set to take part in the World Cup play-offs for the third cycle in a row after finishing second in their qualifying group, and

Italy qualified for the quarterfinals of the FIFA U 17 World Cup Qatar 2025, defeating Uzbekistan 3 2 on Tuesday at the Mahmud Sofi

Italy’s World Cup qualification hopes are resting on the team clinching victory in Moldova on Thursday.

While Norway’s ’Golden Generation’ have impressively maintained a 100% record throughout qualifying, Italy’s perfect campaign post-Oslo humbling means they still have a chance, albeit a very, very, very slim one, of usurping the group leaders on the final matchday and qualifying for the World Cup automatically.

Four-time winners Italy are one of the most successful nations in World Cup history - but are in danger of missing the finals for the third successive time.