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Italy host Northern Ireland in the 2026 World Cup play-off semi-final in Bergamo (@azzurri)
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Join us for all the build-up and action as it happens from the 2026 World Cup play-off semi-final, as Italy take on Northern Ireland.
It kicks off at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo at 19.45 GMT (20.45 CET).
A winner will be decided after 90 minutes, extra time or even penalties, after which they’ll face either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina in the final on Tuesday March 31.
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| FIFA World Cup Qualification | |||
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Team news
Alessandro Bastoni and Matteo Politano start with Moise Kean and Mateo Retegui as Italy host Northern Ireland in the World Cup play-off semi-final.
Click here for the full details
Italy vs. Northern Ireland official line-ups
Italy: Donnarumma; Mancini, Bastoni, Calafiori; Politano, Barella, Locatelli, Tonali, Dimarco; Kean, Retegui
Italy bench: Carnesecchi, Meret, Palestra, Spinazzola, Buongiorno, Gatti, Scalvini, Pisilli, Cristante, Frattesi, Raspadori, Esposito
Northern Ireland: P Charles; Hume, McNair, McConville; Devlin, S Charles, Galbraith, Devenny, Spencer; Price; Donley
Northern Ireland bench: Peacock-Farrell, Hazard, Toal, Atcheson, Saville, Marshall, Kelly, Smyth, Lyons, Reid, Magennis, Brown
Ref: Makkelie (NED)
Official XI
Gli 1️⃣1️⃣ #Azzurri scelti dal Ct Gennaro Gattuso!
Italia 🆚 Irlanda Del Nord
⏱️ Ore 20.45
🏟️ Stadio di Bergamo
📺 #RaiUno#ItaliaIrlandaDelNord#Nazionale#VivoAzzurropic.twitter.com/6gKQwCcN25— Nazionale Italiana ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri) March 26, 2026
Because Italians never learn…
Supporters have been sharing their thoughts and opinions ahead of Italy’s World Cup play-off semi-final on Thursday evening, but not everybody will be cheering on the Azzurri, as some Italians appear to be rooting for tonight’s opponents, Northern Ireland: ‘Go on, send Gravina home’.
Click here for the full story
Northern Ireland fans packed line sardines into the trains and buses heading to the ground, but still in fine voice #GAWApic.twitter.com/MM3tt1JnzE
— Belfast Live Sport (@BelLiveSport) March 26, 2026
🇮🇹👕💙#Nazionale#Azzurri#VivoAzzurropic.twitter.com/eOKi6MnWVs
— Nazionale Italiana ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri) March 26, 2026
