Italy's race to the 2026 World Cup enters its most delicate phase. With the conclusion of the qualifying groups, the road to the United States, Canada, and Mexico now passes through the playoffs, where four spots remain up for grabs. Tomorrow in Zurich, the Azzurri's path will be mapped out, a path that promises to be anything but straightforward.
Gattuso's team was placed in Pot 1 thanks to their FIFA rankings, a relative advantage that ensures only one thing: the semifinal on March 26 will be played in Italy. Their opponent, however, remains a major unknown. They will be drawn from Pot 4, the group of teams drawn through the Nations League, and the range of potential contenders leaves no room for distraction. Between Sweden, Northern Ireland, North Macedonia, and Romania, the risk of a complicated matchup is real, especially with Sweden eager for redemption and Macedonia already capable of ruining Italy's plans in the past.
If Italy overcomes the first hurdle, the decisive final awaits on March 31st. Their opponent could come from Pot 2—Poland, the Czech Republic, Wales, or Slovakia—or from Pot 3, dominated by Albania, Ireland, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Kosovo. This adds another layer of unpredictability to a playoff that, as recent history shows, leaves no margin for error.
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