Overview

• The playoffs follow the same single‑leg format as 2022, with semifinals on 26 March 2026 and finals on 31 March 2026, and Italy is projected to be seeded for a home semifinal based on FIFA ranking.
• Potential first opponents in the draw include lower‑seeded sides such as Romania, Sweden, North Macedonia or Northern Ireland, with home advantage in the semifinal tied to seeding.
• FIGC president Gabriele Gravina is exploring moving Serie A’s 30th round on 21–22 March to free preparation time, though Champions, Europa and Conference League fixtures from 17–19 March make a change difficult.
• Under Rino Gattuso’s more direct approach with two strikers, Italy has scored 16 goals in four matches, a shift credited with steadying results after the 3-0 win over Israel secured the playoff place.
• Gattuso vowed he would leave Italy if the team fails in March, while captain Gianluigi Donnarumma expressed certainty the Azzurri will qualify and said the word playoff does not scare the group.