Italy must cope with the specter of Manchester Metropolis and Norway striker Erling Haaland in 2026 World Cup qualifying after their exit from the Nations League.
The outcomes of the Nations League quarter-finals finalised the line-up for UEFA qualifying for subsequent 12 months’s finals, which obtained underway this week.
The Azzurri will begin their marketing campaign to safe a spot within the 48-team event in June. They go into Group I on account of their quarter-final loss to Germany.
Italy’s first recreation will likely be in opposition to Norway in Oslo, with Haaland prone to relish a gathering with a aspect that conceded a weird second objective of their 3-3 second-leg draw with Germany on Sunday. Haaland was on track as Norway began their try to qualify for the World Cup for the primary time since 1998 with a 5-0 win over Moldova.
He can. 🇳🇴🤖#WCQ | #FIFAWorldCup https://t.co/QbeLLpOhbb pic.twitter.com/Fy4soP2DKu
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) March 22, 2025
Group I additionally options Israel and Estonia.
Germany, in the meantime, are already secured of not less than a play-off spot on the premise of their Nations League rating. Die Mannschaft will likely be anticipated to breeze via Group A, through which they may face Slovakia, Northern Eire and Luxembourg.
France start in opposition to Ukraine
France are in search of to achieve a 3rd successive World Cup closing, and Ukraine will likely be their first opponents on September 5.
Les Bleus, who — like Germany and fellow Nations League semi-finalists Spain and Portugal — are assured of not less than a play-off spot, enter Group D. Iceland and Azerbaijan make up the remainder of that group.
Spain go into Group E alongside Turkey, Georgia and Bulgaria. La Roja beat Georgia en path to glory in Euro 2024 final 12 months. For Portugal, it’s Hungary, Republic of Eire and Armenia in Group F.
Netherlands suffered defeat to Spain on penalties within the Nations League final eight and, consequently, they enter Group G. Finland, Poland, Lithuania and Malta will likely be their opposition, with a visit to Helsinki first up on June 7.
Croatia’s shootout loss to France means they may participate in Group L, which Montenegro and Czech Republic opened with victories over Gibraltar and Faroe Islands respectively. The 2018 World Cup finalists start in opposition to Gibraltar in June.
Denmark are in Group C alongside Scotland, Greece and Belarus.
