Overview
- Norway overturned an early Francesco Pio Esposito goal to beat Italy 4-1 in Milan, with Erling Haaland scoring twice in a minute before Jorgen Strand Larsen added a late fourth.
- Stale Solbakken’s side completed a perfect eight-win qualifying campaign to reach their first World Cup since 1998, with Haaland finishing on 16 goals in the group.
- Italy finished runners-up and must navigate the March 2026 play-offs, which feature a single-match semi-final on March 26 and a final on March 31.
- The play-off draw is scheduled for November 20, and Italy are confirmed as top seeds with home advantage for the semi-final.
- Domestic reports indicate Bergamo’s New Balance Arena is the likely semi-final venue for Italy, with Rome’s Stadio Olimpico a candidate if they host the final.