Italy have started their journey in the World Cup qualifiers with a 3-0 loss against Norway on Friday. So, what will they need to qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
Italy’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup significantly decreased on Friday as the Azzurri collapsed in their opening qualifying match in Norway.
Erling Haaland and his teammates had already played two games, winning both, so they are now the group leaders with nine points.
Only the group winners qualify for the 2026 World Cup, while runners-up must go through the playoff, precisely what happened to the Azzurri the last two times they tried to get a pass for the competition.
What happens if two teams finish level on points in World Cup qualifiers
If two teams finish level on points at the top, the one with the better goal difference qualifies directly for the 2026 World Cup.
Norway have not only collected nine points in the opening three games, but their goal difference is also pretty high at 10.
Italy were placed in Group I after elimination from the Nations League quarter-finals against Germany in March.
Italy and Norway will meet again in the second-leg match on November 16.
Click here for the full Italy fixture list in the World Cup qualifiers.
Europe World Cup qualifiers Group I
Norway 9 points GD 10
Israel 6 points GD 1
Estonia 3 points GD -2
Italy 0 points GD -3
Moldova 0 GD -6
What they need to qualify is called pride and desire, not this garbage.
Technically, Italy have win all of the other games including the return leg against Norway AND hope Norway drop points in other games. It won’t happen. And IF italy end up in the playoffs, once again the pressure of failing will make them crumble.
Can’t believe all the people saying Italy will lose to Norway in the build-up to this match were actually right! And in this manner…
Should’ve fired Spalletti right after the Euros. I never understood why they didn’t but it was the same mistake as they did with Ventura and Mancini. Waiting too long for more disasters.
This team needs to play with 3 at the back but Spalletti doesn’t know how to do that and he said it himself at the Euros. He said I can’t teach what I don’t know when asked about it. SMH
They need to score as many as possible against all teams now and win Norway in the return leg.
Rosario at this rate they won’t even get to the playoffs
Italy need to win every single qualifying game now including Norway home, I can’t see Italy beating Norway for goals scored & we keep conceding also, play offs is a real possibility already & who the opposition will be is the real question..
Italy should not qualify for the world cup, team full of talents but very disorganized.If by chance they qualify,it will be a disaster getting eliminated in group stages.
again and again Italy put themselves in a very difficult situation.
I agree spalletti not good enough, he is a club coach not a national team, but what is more scary the players losing the momentum the spirit. totally unacceptable.
if spalletti leaves who is there to take over in this critical situation.
I am afraid Italy will miss WC for the 3rd time. what a shame, total shame.
Gee and we thought Ventura was bad! Spalletti is totally out of his depth.
team full of talents???? that’s rich…..
you must be talking about Norway LOLOLOL
if you’re referring to glo AZZURRI, this squad is as bad or worse than the 2016 Euro side and the only reason that squad was able to do anything is because they had Conte as manager.
no Mancini, no party
sack him asap clown
We don’t have a single player that is above average, not one.
That was a 5hocking display that looked more like a non-footballing nation playing against a mighy European team, it was Norway!
We have gotten consistently worse, we have less and less players to choose from, yet Serie A continues on the same path of average non-Italian players playing at were once Europes finest club teams.
Add to this an inadequate manager and you get this, Italy that look more like a San Marino..
We will be lucky to beat Moldova.
realy sad. i am not happy for team italia..once again faces a difficult situation .i want to look in fifa world cup 2026.. so plz hard work required to remaining games. keeo it up .i always pray for team italia.