Following their elimination from the Nations League by Germany, Italy has been placed in Group I for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The Azzurri will face Norway, Estonia, Moldova, and Israel in their quest to secure a spot in the tournament hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada.

Italy’s hopes of reaching the Nations League Final Four were dashed after a thrilling 3-3 draw in Dortmund, which followed their 2-1 loss at San Siro. As a result, Germany advances to the Final Four, which they will also host in June.

The Italian national team’s journey to the 2026 World Cup begins with an away match against Erling Haaland’s Norway on June 6. This will be followed by a home game against Moldova on June 9. In September, Italy will host Estonia and play Israel on neutral ground.

October brings away matches to Estonia and a home game against Israel. The qualifying campaign concludes with an away game in Moldova on November 13 and a final home match against Norway on November 16.

Under the current format, only the group winners automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup. The runners-up will enter a play-off process in March 2026, adding extra pressure to Italy’s campaign.

This challenging qualifying route presents an opportunity for Italy to redeem themselves after their recent setbacks and showcase their determination to return to the world stage. The team will need to be at their best, especially when facing tough opponents like Norway’s Erling Haaland.