Italy and Gattuso Face a Rocky Road to the 2026 World Cup

Italy finally knows what awaits—and it’s anything but simple. After the UEFA playoff draw, the Azzurri discovered a path filled with pressure, demanding rivals and absolutely no margin for error. For Gennaro Gattuso, a coach built for battles like these, the mission is clear: bring Italy back to the World Cup after two painful absences.

The European playoffs will be played in March, a decisive month in which the last tournament spots will be settled. For Italy, it represents a defining crossroads: survive or repeat history.

A Dangerous Semifinal Against Northern Ireland

Italy’s first challenge will be Northern Ireland, a tough, physical side known for turning knockout matches into uncomfortable, gritty battles. The semifinal will be played on Italian soil, but that alone won’t make things easier. The Azzurri understand better than anyone that even the slightest mistake can be fatal.

Gattuso’s team will need composure, discipline and intensity from the opening whistle—no excuses, no lapses, no ghosts from the past.

If They Advance… a Final Away From Home

Here comes the biggest twist: should Italy defeat Northern Ireland, the playoff final will be played away, either in Cardiff vs. Wales or Sarajevo vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Both stadiums are known for electric atmospheres, both teams thrive under pressure, and both will sense an opportunity if Italy show even a hint of vulnerability. It means the Azzurri will need not just quality, but personality—because winning on the road with a World Cup ticket at stake is no small task.

One bad night, and Italy’s nightmare could repeat itself.

A Defining Month for the Azzurri

Italy enter this playoff carrying the weight of a footballing giant haunted by recent failures. Their talent suggests optimism, but their history demands caution. Gattuso knows what’s at stake, and the country expects nothing less than a return to the world’s biggest stage.

March will decide everything: either Italy reclaim their place among the elite… or face another chapter of heartbreak in a decade already marked by painful absences.