The Italian national team suffered a heavy defeat in the final round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, losing 4-1 to Norway at the San Siro stadium.
The Italian team entered the match needing a 9-0 victory to qualify directly for the World Cup. They held a 1-0 lead until the 62nd minute, before Haaland and his teammates turned the tables and secured a 4-1 win.
Norway topped the group with 24 points, while the Azzurri finished second with only 18 points.
For the first time in 28 years, Norway has officially qualified for the World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, while Italy’s chances of qualifying remain alive through the European playoffs next March.
The playoff draw is scheduled for Thursday, November 20, with Italy among the top seeds.
Italy will have the advantage of playing at home in their semi-final match scheduled for March 26, with reports suggesting the game could be held at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo.
If they win the semi-final, the Azzurri will be entered into a draw to determine whether the final will be played at home or away on March 31.
It’s worth noting that Italy failed to qualify for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups after also being eliminated in the play-offs.
