Home / Football / Internationals News 2026 World Cup qualifiers, final tournament: Who will Italy play? Key details on Italy's 2026 World Cup path Written by Ben Miller Last Update: March 26, 2026 09:50:34 pm GMT 3 min read Italy are aiming to avoid missing out on a third successive edition of the World Cup finals when the Azzurri take part in the play-offs. Their initial opponents were a visiting Northern Ireland side hoping to end a 40-year exile from the World Cup.They now face one-legged final on March 31 to secure their spot at the tournament, which starts in June and is being co-hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico.Heres who Italy will meet at the tournament if they qualify, as well as a look at their potential schedule.Table of Contents1 2026 World Cup qualifiers: Italy path2 World Cup 2026: Italy group, teams3 FIFA World Cup: Italy schedule, fixtures4 When does the 2026 FIFA World Cup start?5 What are Italys World Cup prospects?2026 World Cup qualifiers: Italy pathItaly will visit the winners of the tie between Wales and Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is taking place in Cardiff at the same time on March 27 and went to extra time.The final will take place on Tuesday, March 31 (19:45 BST), with the winners advancing to the World Cup.Thirty minutes of extra time and penalties will be used in the play-off ties, if necessary.World Cup 2026: Italy group, teamsThe draw for the finals has already taken place, putting the victors in this play-off path in Group B.Heres how that group looks, including a look at each teams FIFA ranking before the play-off semi-finals.CountryRankSwitzerland18Canada29Qatar56Switzerland are the highest-ranked team, with Canada potentially buoyed by their status as co-hosts at the finals.Qatar led by former Real Madrid and Spain boss Julen Lopetegui hosted the 2022 edition.FIFA World Cup: Italy schedule, fixturesThe path winners will meet Canada first, then Switzerland and Qatar.DateOpponentsBSTETPTVenueJune 12Canada20:0015:0012:00BMO Field, TorontoJune 18Switzerland04:00*23:0020:00SoFi Stadium, Los AngelesJune 24Qatar04:00*23:0020:00Lumen Field, SeattleShould they win their group at the World Cup, Italy will face one of the eight best-performing teams to have finished third among the 12 groups.If they finish second, they will meet the runners-up from Group A, which will contain Mexico, South Korea, South Africa and a European play-off winner.If they reach the knockout stage as a third-placed team, they will encounter the winners of Group D or E. The USA, Australia, Paraguay, a European play-off winner, Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast and Ecuador are in those sections.Check out the full World Cup bracket.When does the 2026 FIFA World Cup start?The World Cup starts with a meeting between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City on June 11 (20:00 BST).What are Italys World Cup prospects?At 12th in the rankings, Italy would likely be considered dark horses at the finals.New Italy manager Gennaro Gattuso, who replaced Luciano Spalletti midway through a qualifying campaign in which his nation finished second in their section to Norway, played a pivotal part in their fourth and most recent World Cup triumph in 2006. Topics: Italy National Football Team Northern Ireland National Football Team World Cup World Cup 2026 Follow us: Ben Miller Ben has more than 10 years' experience in sports journalism, covering two EURO tournaments, European club competitions, the Premier League, EFL and WSL and a variety of other major sporting events. Read more from Ben Miller
