Italy‘s bid to qualify for the expanded 2026 FIFA world Cup-which will feature 48 teams-faces a familiar and daunting hurdle: the playoff round. Despite appearing in 18 of the last 22 World Cups and boasting four titles [[1]], the *Azzurri* finished second in Group I qualifying, setting up a playoff scenario where historical rivals loom as potential opponents. This marks the second consecutive World Cup cycle where Italy’s fate will be decided by a playoff, having failed to qualify for both 2018 and 2022 after suffering defeat in this stage.
Jakarta – Italy will be forced to navigate a playoff route to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, and a potentially unwelcome cast of familiar foes awaits them. Gli Azzurri stumbled to a second-place finish in Group I, six points behind Norway, who secured automatic qualification with home-and-away victories over Italy.
The playoff scenario is particularly concerning for the Italians, as they’ve failed to reach the previous two World Cup tournaments after being sent to the playoffs.
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Despite being seeded in Pot 1 of the playoff draw, a sense of foreboding hangs over the Italian camp. Historically, Italy has often drawn challenging opponents from Pot 4 in these crucial qualifying stages.
And the teams in Pot 4 carry a weight of history. Romania, Sweden, North Macedonia, and Northern Ireland all present potential roadblocks for Italy’s World Cup ambitions.
Three of those teams have previously eliminated Italy from World Cup contention. Sweden ended Italy’s hopes in 2018, while North Macedonia delivered a heartbreaking defeat in 2022. Northern Ireland even further back, preventing Italy from reaching the 1958 World Cup in Sweden by winning their qualifying group.
Italy has missed out on World Cup qualification four times in its history, and now faces the prospect of running into three teams that have previously stood in their way. Romania remains the only team in the group that hasn’t caused Italy playoff heartbreak, potentially making them a preferred opponent.
But could Romania now join the list of teams that derail Italy’s World Cup dreams?
(raw/raw)
