Overview

• Qualification will be settled in single-match ties on 26 and 31 March 2026.
• FIGC president Gabriele Gravina floated moving Serie A’s 30th round on 21–22 March to create a longer camp, but European fixtures on 17–19 March complicate any change and a decision is not expected before February.
• With the league weekend likely to remain, Rino Gattuso anticipates only about three training days before the semifinal and notes many players will arrive after roughly 30 club games.
• Italy is currently seeded for the Zurich draw, with reported possible opponents including Wales, Romania, Sweden or Northern Ireland, and a home semifinal if the seeding is confirmed.
• Momentum followed the win over Israel in Udine, where Matteo Retegui scored twice and Gianluigi Donnarumma made key saves, and the captain voiced certainty that Italy will reach the World Cup.