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For a nation steeped in football history, the prospect of missing the FIFA World Cup 2026 is creating unprecedented pressure. Italy, four-time world champions, are confronting the possibility of failing to qualify for a third consecutive tournament, a scenario that seemed unimaginable just a few years ago.

Italy’s playoff draw pits them against Northern Ireland, a team with youthful energy and defensive discipline. While Northern Ireland is considered the underdog, coach Michael O’Neill stressed his team’s focus: 

“Every time you step on the pitch as an international player, you never know when it will be your last opportunity. So make sure that you embrace it.” he said

For Italy, the stakes are enormous. Failing to overcome Northern Ireland would mean yet another disappointing playoff round, echoing the heartbreaks of 2018 (eliminated by Sweden) and 2022 (denied by North Macedonia).

  With the squad assembled by the coach looking positive with the likes of Chiesa also brought in for the must win clash after a long time, things are looking up for the Azzuri this time.

A frustrating qualifying campaign

Italy’s qualification journey has been marked by both resilience and missed opportunities. A 3-0 defeat to Norway at the start of the campaign set the tone for a group where goal difference would prove critical.

Even a late 2-0 victory over Moldova in Chișinău offered little comfort. As defender Federico Dimarco exited the pitch quickly, frustration was clear: Italy needed a near-impossible swing in goals against Norway to qualify directly.

Coach Gennaro Gattuso acknowledged the pressure, stating: “Honestly, I don’t accept the fans’ jeering. Now we all need to stay united.”

Squad challenges and key players

Italy’s squad has been hampered by absences and cautious player choices. Federico Chiesa opted out of the crucial Moldova and Norway matches, while Michael Kayode, whose long throws could have been decisive, was also left out.

Gattuso remains confident in his core group, which includes Serie A and Premier League talent, but admits the team must improve. 

“With Moise Kean returning from injury and Chiesa back in the fold, we will be stronger,” he said.

Despite creating 28 chances against Moldova, Italy scored only two goals, highlighting the offensive challenges that could define the playoff tie.

Historical context: Italy’s World Cup legacy

Italy has qualified for the previous 14 World Cups, yet the current system’s emphasis on goal difference makes their situation precarious. Gattuso compared European rules to South America and wasn’t very diplomatic in his opinion too. 

“If we look at South America, where six out of 10 teams go directly to the World Cup and the seventh heads into a playoff with a team from Oceania, that does give you regrets.” he said.

Norway’s exceptional run in Group I, including an 11-1 win against Moldova and a 5-0 victory over the same team in Chișinău, has made Italy’s direct qualification almost impossible.

Northern Ireland: underdogs with opportunity

Northern Ireland enters the playoff confident despite the daunting task. O’Neill emphasized preparation and defensive solidity:

“This game is probably not going to be a high-scoring game for us, so we need to be as good as perfect at the back and obviously find an opportunity that we can score ourselves.”

The team blends youthful talent like Shea Charles, Trai Hume, and Conor Bradley with experienced guidance from O’Neill, who previously led Northern Ireland to Euro 2016.

It appears Eddie Hearn would have been game to make Tom Aspinall vs. Jon Jones, were they not under contract with the UFC. Not only that, the Matchroom Boxing chairman says he’d have happily paid both fighters double what the UFC would’ve offered them.

While Jones never entertained a title unification with Aspinall, during his tenure as the heavyweight champion, a prominent narrative was that the bout never materialized because Dana White and the UFC failed to match the New Yorker’s financial demands.

Hearn’s Matchroom Talent Agency now represents Aspinall and recently slammed the world’s premier MMA promotion over the Brit’s contract, which he deems unfair.

Speaking with ProBoxingFans following this weekend’s Matchroom Boxing card, Hearn said:

“They [Jones and Aspinall] are under contract. If they weren’t under contract, I could do Aspinall against Jon Jones, and I’ll pay them double what the UFC offered them, probably.”

Hearn then went on to insist that the headliners around whom the cards are built deserve a bigger share of the revenue in general:

“If you do Tom Aspinall against [Alex] Pereira for the world heavyweight championship, respect the guy, will you? If there is $100 million in the pot, don’t give me a million. He is the defending champion. It’s a joke. They are going to have to do something. They are in a bad, bad situation at the moment.”

Check out Eddie Hearn’s comments on Tom Aspinall vs. Jon Jones below:

Aspinall was forced into a hiatus from MMA after suffering debilitating eye pokes from Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 in October. After multiple surgical procedures, the UFC heavyweight champion finally returned to training earlier this week.

Gane is scheduled to face Alex Pereira for the interim heavyweight title at UFC Freedom 250 in June. The winner of the fight is expected to be Aspinall’s comeback opponent.