BERGAMO, ITALY - MARCH 26: Sandro Tonali of Italy celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammates Mateo Retegui and Moise Kean during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Italy and Northern Ireland at Stadio di Bergamo on March 26, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
BERGAMO, ITALY - MARCH 26: Sandro Tonali of Italy celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammates Mateo Retegui and Moise Kean during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Italy and Northern Ireland at Stadio di Bergamo on March 26, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Italy stick with Mateo Retegui, Moise Kean and Sandro Tonali for the World Cup play-off final against Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Edin Dzeko and Ermedin Demirovic.

It kicks off at the Stadion Bilino Polje in Zenica at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT, 20.45 CEST).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.

The winner will be decided after 90 minutes, or through extra time and even a penalty shoot-out if needed.

Whoever goes through will be placed in World Cup group B with Canada, Switzerland and Qatar.

Italy beat Northern Ireland 2-0 in the semi-final with goals from Tonali and Kean, so despite the possibility of Francesco Pio Esposito and Marco Palestra coming in, Gennaro Gattuso has decided to stick with the same starting XI.

BERGAMO, ITALY - MARCH 26: Players of Italy pose for a team photograph prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Italy and Northern Ireland at Stadio di Bergamo on March 26, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 26: Players of Italy pose for a team photograph prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Italy and Northern Ireland at Stadio di Bergamo on March 26, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

That means Retegui alongside Kean in a 3-5-2 formation, with Manuel Locatelli pulling the midfield strings, and Matteo Politano out wide on the right.

Bosnia and Herzegovina needed a late Dzeko equaliser in Cardiff to force extra time on Thursday evening, eventually winning a penalty shoot-out.

The player who came off the bench and transformed that match was 18-year-old sensation Kerim Alajbegovic, but despite reports to the contrary, he does not replace Esmir Bajraktarevic.

CARDIFF, WALES - MARCH 26: Kerim Alajbegovic of Bosnia and Herzegovina celebrates after winning in the penalty shoot out in the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-off match between Wales and Bosnia and Herzegovina at Cardiff City Stadium on March 26, 2026 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
CARDIFF, WALES – MARCH 26: Kerim Alajbegovic of Bosnia and Herzegovina celebrates after winning in the penalty shoot out in the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-off match between Wales and Bosnia and Herzegovina at Cardiff City Stadium on March 26, 2026 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

On the other side of the age spectrum is former Roma, Inter and Fiorentina striker Dzeko, who is still spearheading the attack at age 40, partnered by Ermedin Demirovic.

Familiar faces include Atalanta defender Sead Kolasinac, who shrugged off a knock to play, and Sassuolo’s Tarik Muharemovic.

Bosnia have only ever beaten Italy once, the very first friendly the new nation ever played at home in November 1996, followed by a 1-1 draw and four defeats.

CARDIFF, WALES - MARCH 26: Edin Dzeko of Bosnia and Herzegovina scores his team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-off match between Wales and Bosnia and Herzegovina at Cardiff City Stadium on March 26, 2026 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
CARDIFF, WALES – MARCH 26: Edin Dzeko of Bosnia and Herzegovina scores his team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-off match between Wales and Bosnia and Herzegovina at Cardiff City Stadium on March 26, 2026 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Italy line-ups

Bosnia: Vasilj; Dedic, Muharemovic, Katic, Kolasinac; Bajraktarevic, Sunjic, Basic, Memic; Demirovic, Dzeko

Bosnia bench: Hadzikic, Zlomislic, Mujakic, Celik, Tahirovic, Gigovic, Bazdar, Hadziahmetovic, Burnic, Alajbegovic, Radeljic, Tabakovic

Italy: Donnarumma; Mancini, Bastoni, Calafiori; Politano, Barella, Locatelli, Tonali, Dimarco; Kean, Retegui

Italy bench: Carnesecchi, Meret, Palestra, Spinazzola, Buongiorno, Raspadori, Pisilli, Pio Esposito, Cristante, Frattesi, Gatti, Cambiaso

Ref: Turpin (FRA)

Player statistic

1st half
    15' Goal Moise Kean
(Assist: Nicolò Barella)
    41' Red card Alessandro Bastoni
2nd half
Benjamin Tahirovic Yellow card 54'    
Haris Tabakovic Goal 79'    
    81' Yellow card Gianluigi Donnarumma
Extra time
Tarik Muharemovic Yellow card 102'    
Nikola Katic Yellow card 114'    

Match statistic

65
Possession %
35
30
Total shots
9
11
Shots on target
3
12
Shots off target
4
7
Blocked shots
2
10
Corners
4
2
Offsides
0
18
Fouls
9
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Italy

Starting lineups

1
Goalkeeper
7
Defender
18
Defender
5
Defender
46'
4
13
Midfielder
71'
14
Midfielder
46'
15
Attacker
71'
11
Attacker
10
115'
20
1
21
3
Defender
91'
23
Defender
13
5
Midfielder
71'
18
Midfielder
85'
8
Midfielder
9
Attacker
44'
7
Attacker
46'
11
Attacker
71'

Substitutes

21
Defender
9
Attacker
8
Midfielder
2
Defender
12
Goalkeeper
22
Goalkeeper
3
Defender
16
Midfielder
115'
6
Midfielder
46'
19
46'
23
Attacker
71'
17
Midfielder
71'
19
Defender
22
Goalkeeper
10
12
Goalkeeper
14
Midfielder
19
Defender
44'
2
Defender
46'
16
Midfielder
71'
15
Attacker
71'
17
Midfielder
85'
4
91'
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