Liveblog: Italy vs. Norway, 2026 World Cup qualifier

This page will update live with the latest relevant news, no need to refresh the page!

Join us for all the build-up and action as it happens from the final World Cup qualifier of Group I, as Italy go head to head with leaders Norway.

It kicks off at San Siro at 19.45 GMT.

Although a victory here would put the teams level on points, it would take a 9-0 win to overturn the massive goal difference gap for top spot.

The Azzurri are therefore already bracing themselves for the play-offs in March.

Italy had a truly disastrous start to the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, swept aside 3-0 by Norway by half-time and mustering no response in Oslo.

𝑨𝒛𝒛𝒖𝒓𝒓𝒂 a San Siro 💙🇮🇹🏟️#ItaliaNorvegia#Nazionale #Azzurri #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/nK82In4DCa

— Nazionale Italiana ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri) November 16, 2025

I nostri ragazzi 💙#ItaliaNorvegia #Nazionale #Azzurri #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/UlZr67N3Mn

— Nazionale Italiana ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri) November 16, 2025

Marco Carnesecchi admits Italy are already thinking about the World Cup play-offs, but want to ‘make a good impression’ against Norway and trust Gianluigi Donnarumma to neutralise Erling Haaland.

Norway have a 100 per cent record in this World Cup qualifying group, having won all seven games with 33 goals scored and only four conceded. They’ve been pretty much faultless.

There are two Serie A players starting for Norway, Torbjorn Heggem of Bologna and Sassuolo midfielder Kristian Thorstvedt.

Although a victory here would put the teams level on points, it’d require a 9-0 result for Italy to overturn the massive gap in goal difference.

That’s not to say there is nothing at stake here, because going into December’s draw for the play-offs in March, a win would still boost their ranking, and take some revenge for the opening 3-0 defeat in Oslo.

Luciano Spalletti was still the coach then, and Gennaro Gattuso has won all his games in charge.

Italy want revenge on Erling Haaland’s Norway in this final World Cup qualifier, turning to Mateo Retegui, Francesco Pio Esposito and returning Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Italy: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Mancini, Bastoni; Politano, Barella, Locatelli, Frattesi, Dimarco; Retegui, Esposito

Norway: Nyland; Ryerson, Ajer, Heggem, Moller Wolfe; Thorstvedt, Berge, Berg, Nusa; Sorloth, Haaland

Ref: Hernandez (ESP)