Overview

• Four-time world champions Italy were absent from the 2018 and 2022 World Cups and must win to keep automatic qualification hopes alive.
• Norway top Group I after scoring nine goals in two victories and will host Italy at Oslo's Ullevaal Stadium on Friday, June 6.
• Centre backs Alessandro Buongiorno, Matteo Gabbia, and Riccardo Calafiori are all sidelined by injury, thinning Italy's defensive options.
• Veteran defender Francesco Acerbi withdrew from the squad on June 1, citing a lack of respect from coach Luciano Spalletti.
• Norway will rely on Erling Haaland's finishing and Martin Odegaard's creativity to sustain their early momentum.