Italy`s journey towards the 2026 World Cup has begun with a significant setback. The Azzurri suffered a 3-0 defeat against Norway in their opening qualifier, severely impacting their chances of direct qualification.
Norway, led by the prolific Erling Haaland, now sits atop Group I with 9 points from three matches and an impressive goal difference of +10. This puts Italy in a precarious position, as only the group winner automatically qualifies for the World Cup.
Qualification Criteria and Italy`s Current Standing
In the event of teams finishing level on points, goal difference becomes the deciding factor. Italy`s 3-0 loss has not only left them pointless but also with a -3 goal difference, creating a substantial gap to overcome.
The current Group I standings are:
- Norway: 9 points, GD +10
- Israel: 6 points, GD +1
- Estonia: 3 points, GD -2
- Italy: 0 points, GD -3
- Moldova: 0 points, GD -6
Italy`s Path Forward
To secure direct qualification, Italy must:
- Win their remaining matches, including a crucial game against Norway on November 16
- Significantly improve their goal difference
- Hope for Norway to drop points in other matches
Failing to top the group would force Italy into a playoff situation, a scenario that has proved problematic for them in recent World Cup cycles.
Conclusion
While the road ahead is challenging, Italy`s qualification campaign is far from over. The team and coach Luciano Spalletti must regroup quickly and focus on winning their upcoming matches convincingly to keep their World Cup dreams alive.