Italy vs Northern Ireland Preview & Prediction | 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying (UEFA)
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Italy were denied 1958 FIFA World Cup qualification at the hands of Northern Ireland – and now the Northern Irish have the chance to repeat the trick 68 years later.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – BBC / US – FOX Sports
How to watch online: UK – BBC iPlayer / US – Disney+
Key stats
- Italy have lost only one of the previous 11 international meetings between the sides (W7 D3 L1), and they boast a perfect home record, winning all seven matches played on Italian soil.
- Italy have not conceded a goal in their last seven international matches against Northern Ireland.
- Italy had won six consecutive World Cup qualifying matches before their 4-1 home defeat to Norway on 16 November 2025, their final fixture of the group stage.
- Italy are aiming to return to the FIFA World Cup™ for the first time since 2014. Their run of 14 consecutive appearances came to an end with a 1-0 aggregate play-off defeat to Sweden in 2018, followed by a 1-0 home loss to North Macedonia in the play-off semi-finals of the 2022 qualifiers.
- Pio Esposito has scored in three of Italy’s last four World Cup qualifying matches.
- Northern Ireland are aiming to secure their first FIFA World Cup™ appearance in 40 years, having last featured in the 1986 edition of the tournament.
- Northern Ireland last reached the play-offs in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, where they were beaten 1-0 on aggregate by Switzerland.
- Northern Ireland have lost four of their last five World Cup qualifying matches away from home (W1).
Italy vs Northern Ireland prediction
Gennaro Gattuso and his Italy side were hammered 4-1 by Norway in their final qualifying game for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Azzurri are four-time world champions but haven’t been at the last two FIFA World Cups – and they haven’t played a knockout match at the tournament since winning it back in 2006.
Northern Ireland, under the management of Michael O’Neill, who is also in charge of Championship relegation battlers Blackburn Rovers, finished qualifying strongly and will believe they can be stubborn opposition for the Italians, even with the absence of key man and captain Conor Bradley due to injury.
Gattuso has made it clear that he has chosen Bergamo as the venue intentionally and the atmosphere is expected to be hostile for the Northern Irish in what should still be a nervy and concerning game for the hosts.
Italy vs Northern Ireland tip: Italy to win & under 3.5 goals
