Explained – How can Italy qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

Four-time FIFA World Cup winners, Italy have had a forgettable spell in international football over the past decade.

After winning the World Cup – the last of four – in 2006, it was exited from the group stages in 2010 and 2014 and failed to qualify for the next two editions for the first time in its otherwise glorious footballing history.

For the 2026 edition, the draw was made with Estonia, Moldova, Israel and Norway.

However, Norway, propelled by their goalscoring machine Erling Haaland, have taken top spot by winning all seven games so far and scoring 33 goals – 14 of which have come from the Manchester City striker.

Norway also beat Italy 3-0 in the qualifiers, with Haaland a common name on the scoresheet, leaving Italians under serious threat of failing to reach the World Cup for a third time.

Group I points table:

How can Italy qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

Italy has two ways to reach the tournament:

Route 1: Italy beats Norway by nine goals to surpass the goal difference and earn direct qualification for the World Cup.

Route 2: Italy – regardless of the result – will qualify as one of the twelve second-placed teams for the second qualifying round. There will be four more teams, determined based on the interim overall rankings of the 2024-2025 UEFA Nations League.

The best four teams from the play-offs will then complete the European selection for the World Cup.

Published on November 16, 2025