A shambolic 1-4 defeat to Norway at home ends Italy's automatic FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification hopes, sending the four-time champions into a win-or-bust playoff for the third successive cycle. Here

Italy will now have to go through the World Cup play-off system again. The semi-finals will take place on March 26 and the finals will take place a few days later on March 30.

Italy failed to qualify for both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. Their route to the 2026 finals has been complicated.

Italy suffered a heavy 1-4 defeat at home to Norway in a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on 16. Francesco Pio Esposito gave Italy an early lead in the 11th minute, but Norway responded through Antonio Nusa in the 63rd minute.

The Italian national team suffered a heavy 1-4 defeat against Norway in the final match of the World Cup 2026 qualifiers. They will face significant pressure in the upcoming playoff.

Italy’s World Cup qualification hopes are resting on the team clinching victory in Moldova on Thursday.

Another FIFA World Cup nightmare is threatening to engulf Italy. The last time the team played in a World Cup was eleven years ago. If Italy fails to score nine goals against Norway on Thursday, they won’t be qualified to the 2026 World Cup either.

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.

With Norway on the brink of direct qualification, it will be déjà vu yet again for Italy as they will look to qualify for the World Cup through a playoff.

Four-time winners Italy are one of the most successful nations in World Cup history - but are in danger of missing the finals for the third successive time.