Italy will first host Northern Ireland in a World Cup qualifying playoff in March but then would go on the road to reach its first tournament after back-to-back failures at this stage.

Gazzetta dello Sport notes that Northern Ireland were the ‘easiest opponent’ for Italy in the World Cup play-off draw, mostly due to their poor away record and their FIFA Ranking.Northern Ireland

Those groups played out a full home-and-away round-robin across the September, October and November international breaks with the three group winners Panama, Haiti and Curacao off to the World Cup, and the best two runners-up – Jamaica and Suriname – heading to the intercontinental play-offs.

The list of countries heading to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is growing. Following a thrilling round of November qualifiers, 42 nations have officially secured their place in the expanded 48-team tournament set for North America in 2026.

Two teams trying to do the unthinkable meet up on Sunday, as Hungary and the Republic of Ireland play for a potential spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Italy will face Northern Island in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification play-offs match next March with the winner taking on Wales for a spot to the first-ever 48-team World Cup in the North Americas

THE Republic of Ireland will face Czech Republic (away) while Northern Ireland travel to Italy in the play-off qualification semi-final for next summer’s World Cup finals in USA, Mexico and Canada.

What a moment for these Irish fans as Ireland keeps its FIFA World Cup hopes alive 🇮🇪

Hungary Vs Republic Of Ireland Highlights, FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers: Catch the key updates from the HUN vs IRL, football qualifying match at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, as it happened