Italy vs Northern Ireland
The European World Cup 2026 play-offs kick off this week and in Bergamo, Gennaro Gattuso’s Italy will host Michael O’Neill’s Northern Ireland in a high-stakes clash which the Azzurri simply can’t afford to lose.
Having missed out on the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, Italy are under huge pressure not to slip up again, and to reach the finals in Canada, Mexico and the USA they must beat Northern Ireland and then either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Italy’s pugnacious boss Gattuso was a World Cup winner with the Azzurri in 2006 and he won 73 caps for the Azzurri in a proud era for the nation’s football fans. But since lifting the trophy, Italy exited at the group stage in 2010 and 2014 and didn’t even make the next two tournaments.
A 4-1 loss to Norway at the end of their qualification group, after a run of five victories, consigned Italy to this current ordeal and, of all the European World Cup play-offs, this is the clash which will attract the most attention. Of course Northern Ireland will come into this game fully believing they can win and reach the finals for the fourth time in their history; but there is a chasm between the two nations in terms of resource, and the latest World Cup 2026 betting odds have already pitched the Azzurri as one of the top nine nations at the finals… and they aren’t even there yet.
Surely Italy will make it this time!
Talking Points
Chiesa back for the Azzurri
One of Gattuso’s selections that has raised a few eyebrows is a return to the fold of Liverpool forward Federico Chiesa, after an absence of almost two years. The 28-year-old former Fiorentina and Juventus star helped Italy win the 2020 European Championships and he has 51 caps for his country, scoring seven goals. Able to play as a second forward or on the right wing, Chiesa’s opportunities at Liverpool have been limited after the club spent over £400m on players last summer. But the Reds lost their tenth match of the campaign on Saturday and have looked lacklustre at times, something you can never accuse Chiesa of. He has become a fans’ favourite at Anfield due to his passion and high work rate, and Italy fans will be delighted if he can recapture his previous form.
This is a team packed with quality from back to front. With Manchester City’s Gianluigi Donnarumma in the goals and Juventus defender Federico Gatti in defence, with his club-mate Manuel Locatelli alongside Inter’s Nicola Barella in midfield. And with Atalanta striker Gianluca Scamacca on his home turf, maybe alongside Chiesa, the Azzurri should have far too much for the Green and Whites.
Charles boys are back for Northern Ireland
O’Neill’s squad has been boosted by the return of brothers Shea and Pierce Charles who were sidelined for much of the qualification phase. Sheffield Wednesday’s 20-year-old keeper Pierce missed the whole campaign due to a nagging shoulder injury, while 22-year-old Southampton midfielder missed the last two games with a hamstring strain. Both brothers are back in action, Pierce playing the last four games for the Owls, while Shea scored a cracker in the Saints’ win over Oxford United at the weekend.
The midfield ace has captained his country before and both are key players, despite their youth. This is a squad which is not blessed with the talent of their opponents and the return of Shea and Pierce will certainly strengthen the manager’s hand. Keep a lookout too for Liverpool teenager Kieran Morrison who could be in line for his debut in Bergamo.
But, in other World Cup 2026 news, the Irish will be without Sunderland’s injured centre-back Dan Ballard, which is a huge blow. The 26-year-old has been a colossus at the heart of the Black Cats defence this term and Northern Ireland will be weaker without him.
History
Italy have suffered a recurring World Cup nightmare over the past eight years, losing to Sweden in the 2018 play-offs and then to North Macedonia in 2022, a terrible sequence for the four times champions. Northern Ireland reached the 1958 quarter finals and have been at the world showcase twice since but, while their expectations are lower they will head to Bergamo with steely determination.
But Italy have won three of the previous five meetings with Northern Ireland, drawing the other two. They met in the qualification group for the World Cup 2022 when the two teams played out a goalless draw in Belfast while the Azzurri won 2-0 on home turf.
And with six wins, one draw and three losses in 2025, Italy have been consistently strong while Northern Ireland have won four, drawn one and lost five.
Betting Tip
Italy are hot favourites, at SBOTOP odds of 1.30 to win this game, with Northern Ireland at 10.00 and the draw at 5.00. I don’t see an Azzurri slip up here.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT)
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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