Italy at the 2026 World Cup, what is needed to qualify?
The 2026 edition of the World Cup will be hosted by USA, Canada and Mexico and will involve 48 teams for the first time. TheItaly, engaged in the UEFA qualifications, is included in the Group H with Norway, Israel, Estonia and Moldova. But how do you qualify? How many places are available? And what does Spalletti's national team have to do to return to the World Cup after two missed editions? Everything you need to know, explained clearly.
How UEFA qualification for the 2026 World Cup works
European teams compete 16 spots for the World Cup. The format includes:
- 12 rounds from 4 or 5 teams each
- The first classified of each group directly accesses the World Cup
- Le runners-up they go to playoff, Together with 4 teams from the Nations League
Total: 12 direct qualifiers + 4 via play-offs = 16 European places.
What are playoffs and how do they work?
- UEFA Play-Offs involve:
- Le 12 runners-up of the groups
- Le Top 4 Nations League Teams (not already qualified)
The 16 teams are divided into 4 paths (A, B, C, D), each with:
- A dry semifinal
- A dry finish
Le 4 winners of the routes gain access to the World Championship.
Le seeded heads (among the runners-up) will play the semi-finals at home. The worst runners-up and the teams from the Nations League will be “unseeded” and will play the semi-finals away.
Current situation of Italy in Group H
After the defeat against Norway, Italy is at 0 points with one game played. The updated ranking:
- Norway: 9 points (3 games, goal diff. +10)
- Israel: 6 points (3 games, goal diff. +1)
- Estonia: 3 points (3 games, goal diff. -2)
- Italy: 0 points (1 match, goal diff. -3)
- Moldova: 0 points (2 games, goal diff. -6)
Italy therefore has room to recover, but it will have to obtain immediate and clear results.
In case of a tie: the ranking criteria
If two teams finish with equal points, they look at each other:
- Overall goal difference
- Most goals scored
- Points in head-to-head matches
- Goal difference in head-to-head matches
- Goals scored in head-to-head matches
- Away goals in head-to-head matches
- Fair play (penalty for warnings and expulsions)
- FIFA Draw
Italy's next matches
Upcoming events for the National Team:
- 9 June 2025: Italy-Moldova (20pm)
- 5 September 2025: Italy-Estonia
- 8 September 2025: Israel-Italy
- 11 October 2025: Estonia-Italy
- 14 October 2025: Italy-Israel
- 13th November 2025: Moldova-Italy
- 16th November 2025: Italy-Norway
When is the return match between Italy and Norway being played?
The return match against Norway, which is decisive for direct qualification, is set for Sunday 16 November 2025. will be thelast match of group H.
What does Italy need to qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
The primary objective is win the group, but if it were to close second, Italy would go to playoffTo win first place, the Azzurri must:
- Win all remaining matches
- Beat Norway in the return leg
- Recovering the gap in goal difference (currently -13 compared to Norway)
A difficult path, but still open.
When are the play-offs played?
Le Play-off semi-finals are scheduled on 26 March 2026, final il 31 March 2026Four teams grab the last ticket to the World Cup.