"Four-time winners Italy are one of the most successful nations in World Cup history - but are in danger of missing the finals for the third successive time. After failing to qualify for Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022, Italy are second in their group, three points behind leaders Norway, who play the Azzurri in Milan in the decider on Sunday."
"For the first time, the 2026 World Cup, which will be staged in Canada, Mexico and the United States next June and July, will feature 48 nations. Italian football journalist James Horncastle, speaking on the Euro Leagues podcast, said: "Even with an expanded World Cup, that is going to be bigger than ever, for Italy to miss out - it was called apocalyptic the first time they missed out in 2017, I don't know what stage of the apocalypse we are in now.""
Italy faces the prospect of missing a third straight World Cup after failing to qualify for 2018 and 2022. The Azzurri sit second in their qualifying group, three points behind Norway, and require a nine-goal victory over Norway to overtake their superior goal difference. A drop into the play-offs is likely, where past outcomes include aggregate defeat to Sweden and a 1-0 home loss to North Macedonia that prevented 2022 qualification. Italy won Euro 2021 but last played at a World Cup finals in 2014. The 2026 tournament expands to 48 teams, yet qualification remains precarious after a poor start and managerial upheaval.
Read at www.bbc.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]