Italy to Face Northern Ireland in 2026 World Cup Playoff Semifinals

This Thursday afternoon, November 20, the draw for the playoffs for the 2026 World Cup took place. Italy is set to play in the semifinals at home against Northern Ireland, which earned the chance to participate in these playoffs due to their strong performance in the Nations League. The winner of the semifinal between Italy and Northern Ireland will play away against the winner of the other semifinal, which features Wales and Bosnia and Herzegovina. As we prepare for this exciting matchup, it's essential to take a closer look at the Northern Ireland team. Currently, in the FIFA World Ranking, Italy sits in 12th place, while Northern Ireland is ranked 69th. In their qualifying group, Northern Ireland finished third, competing against heavyweights Germany and Slovakia. They managed to secure a victory at home against both teams but fell short in their away matches. Nevertheless, Northern Ireland earned their playoff spot by finishing first in their League C group, which included Bulgaria, Belarus, and Luxembourg. Northern Ireland's style of play is characterized as physical and organized. They are known for their solid defensive capabilities, often focusing on defense rather than attack. Some of their most notable players are currently playing in the English Premier League. Among them, Conor Bradley stands out as a young fullback for Liverpool, although he isn't yet a mainstay in the starting lineup. The team is led by coach Michael O'Neill, who returned to manage the squad in 2022 after previously coaching from 2011 to 2020. Historically, Northern Ireland has not participated in the World Cup since 1986. Their greatest achievement was reaching the quarterfinals in 1958, a feat that involved a dramatic playoff victory over Italy. That match remains a significant part of the team's history, as Northern Ireland managed to eliminate the favored Italian side 2-1 away, marking the first time Italy missed the World Cup finals. This defeat, known as the "defeat of Belfast," was a pivotal moment for Italian football as they faced the repercussions of a defensive strategy under coach Alfredo Foni, known for implementing the catenaccio tactic. More recently, Italy's draw against Northern Ireland had significant implications, costing them a chance in the playoffs for the 2022 World Cup. As the two teams prepare to meet again, all eyes will be on this new clash and whether history can repeat itself for Northern Ireland, or if Italy will take revenge for past encounters. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2