Ricci: What Italy must avoid in World Cup play-off

Italy international Samuele Ricci is confident that the Azzurri will qualify for the World Cup as they ‘must not be influenced by what happened in the past.’

Italy will have to go through the World Cup play-off in March 2026 to qualify for the tournament held in the USA, Canada and Mexico next year.

The Azzurri will meet Northern Ireland in the semis on March 26 and, if they progress to the Final, they’ll face either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Final on March 31.

Italy already learned their potential World Cup group stage opponents on Friday as they were placed in Group B alongside Canada, Switzerland and Qatar.

Tuttospor asked Milan midfielder Ricci whether Italy will qualify for the World Cup after falling short in 2018 and 2022: “Yes, and we must not be influenced by what happened in the past,” the Italian midfielder replied (via Milan News).

Ricci made his senior Italy debut in June 2022 under Roberto Mancini and has collected 11 international appearances.

During the same interview, the Italy international spoke about his first months at Milan, praising his teammate Luka Modric and coach Massimiliano Allegri.