Old demons return as Italy wait for World Cup play-off opponents

Northern Ireland, Sweden and North Macedonia, three of Italy’s possible opponents in the World Cup play-off semifinal, are the only teams to have already denied the Azzurri a place in the tournament.

The playoff draw will determine Italy’s path in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers as the Azzurri finished as runners-up behind Norway in Group I.

Thanks to their FIFA Ranking, at least, the Azzurri will be in pot 1 in tomorrow’s draw, which means they’ll play the one-legged semifinal at home in March 2026.

Italy will get their semi-final opponent from pot 4, which consists of Romania, North Macedonia, Sweden and Northern Ireland.

Sweden and North Macedonia already eliminated Italy in the playoffs in recent years, denying qualification for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, respectively. Ironically, even Northern Ireland prevented Italy from qualifying for the 1958 World Cup, played in Sweden.

The only other World Cup Italy didn’t participate in was the first in 1930, but that was a decision from the federation, due to distance and economic distress.