Italy Face Northern Ireland in High-Stakes World Cup Playoff Showdown: Key Predictions and Expected Lineups

Italy looks to make a significant stride toward the 2026 World Cup as it welcomes Northern Ireland for Thursday's single-leg playoff semifinal.

After falling short of automatic qualification during the group stage for this summer's expanded competition, Italy finds itself in the playoff round. Two consecutive wins will punch its ticket to North America, with either Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina awaiting should it overcome Northern Ireland.

Anxiety will be running high in Bergamo and throughout Italy, as the four-time world champions have rather shamefully missed out on the last two World Cups. Gennaro Gattuso bears the responsibility of preventing a third consecutive catastrophe.

Northern Ireland heads into this trip to Italy as heavy underdogs, and Michael O'Neill's side is well aware of the enormity of the challenge ahead. They will need their first victory over the Azzurri since the 1958 World Cup and must bridge a 56-place gap in FIFA's world rankings.

Should Italy or Northern Ireland advance to the World Cup, the victorious side will join co-hosts Canada alongside Qatar and Switzerland in the appealing Group B.

Italy vs. Northern Ireland Score Prediction

Italy has no room for excuses heading into Thursday's fixture. The Azzurri possess a squad vastly superior to their opponents and should capitalize on their abundance of talent, bolstered by the home support at the New Balance Arena.

Italy claimed six wins from eight qualifying matches — granted, against weaker opposition than Northern Ireland — but confidence could still be a concern. With painful losses to Norway and haunting memories of recent World Cup qualifying failures lingering, Gattuso and his squad know complacency is not an option.

Prediction: Italy 2–0 Northern Ireland

Italy Predicted Lineup vs. Northern Ireland

Gattuso is monitoring the fitness of three key players ahead of the Northern Ireland clash: Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali, Inter's Alessandro Bastoni, and Roma's Gianluca Mancini are all named in this month's squad despite carrying injuries. Italian supporters will be hoping all three are fit to play.

The Azzurri must also manage without Napoli's Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Atalanta's Gianluca Scamacca, Liverpool winger Federico Chiesa, and Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario — the latter having undergone hernia surgery.

On a positive note for Gattuso, Arsenal's Riccardo Calafiori has been given the green light to play in the three-man backline.

Italy predicted lineup vs. Northern Ireland (3-1-4-2): Donnarumma; Mancini, Bastoni, Calafiori; Locatelli; Politano, Tonali, Barella, Dimarco; Retegui, Kean.

Northern Ireland Predicted Lineup vs. Italy

Northern Ireland will be missing several key figures for the trip to Italy — most notably Liverpool right back Conor Bradley, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.

Sunderland centre back Dan Ballard is another notable absentee, the commanding defender missing Thursday's match through a hamstring issue. Jamal Lewis is also unavailable at left wing-back, potentially opening the door for the adaptable Justin Devenny to step into that position.

George Saville returns from suspension, joining Shea Charles as a welcome addition back to the squad. Young talents Kieran Morrison and Tom Atcheson, the former from Liverpool, could earn their first caps if called upon in an emergency.

Northern Ireland predicted lineup vs. Italy (3-4-3): P. Charles; McConville, McNair, Brown; Hume, S. Charles, Saville, Devenny; Galbraith, Donley, Price.

What Time Does Italy vs. Northern Ireland Kick Off?

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