Italy vs Northern Ireland: Key Details for World Cup Qualifier Italy and Northern Ireland will face off in a crucial FIFA World Cup Qualification Playoff at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo, Italy, on Thursday, March 26. The match, set for a 7:45 p.m. GMT kick-off, will determine which team advances to the next round, where they will face the winner of Wales vs Bosnia & Herzegovina for a spot in the 2026 World Cup. Italy, seeking to end a 12-year absence from the global tournament, will aim to secure their place after missing the last two World Cups. Northern Ireland, hoping to qualify for the first time since 1986, will look to overcome their status as the least populous nation to have reached multiple World Cups. The teams last met in 2022 World Cup qualifiers, with Italy defeating Northern Ireland 2-0 in Italy before a 0-0 draw at home prevented the Azzuri from topping their group. The winner of this one-legged tie will join the Wales-Bosnia & Herzegovina victor in the next stage. The match will be broadcast on BBC Three in the UK, Paramount in the U.S., SonyLIV in India, and Stan Sport in Australia, with ESPN providing live updates. Referee Danny Makkelie of the Netherlands will oversee the game, supported by VAR Pol van Boekel. Injury concerns loom for both sides. Italy’s Federico Chiesa and Gianluca Scamacca are ruled out, while Gianluca Mancini and Sandro Tonali face doubts. Northern Ireland’s Alistair McCann, Dan Ballard, and Conor Bradley are also sidelined, with Ballard’s absence potentially impacting their defense. Ballard, a Sunderland center-back, has been a key performer in the Premier League and could have neutralized Italy’s attacking threats. Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill faces challenges in replacing Ballard, as his squad lacks similar defensive options for a three-man backline.#italy #new_balance_arena #northern_ireland #gennaro_gattuso #michael_orenn
