Italy Fans React To World Cup Playoff Draw As Azzurri Avoid Sweden And North Macedonia

The 2026 World Cup playoff draw has been completed and Italy won’t face Sweden or North Macedonia in the semi-final stage. 

Four years ago, the Azzurri suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to the Macedonians in the semis. That loss is still regarded as one of the most damaging results in Italian soccer history.

Prior to that, the Swedes got the better of the four-time winners for the 2018 edition. The Scandinavians also won 1-0 in the tie which was played over two legs.

However, Italy supporters have reacted well to the news that they have avoided both nations. In fact, many are quietly confident that qualification to the finals will be comfortably achieved.

Our play-off path is set ⚽️#Azzurri #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/l4WjhnM7L9

— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri_En) November 20, 2025

World Cup Playoff Draw – Italy’s Semi-Final Opponent

Although Thaigo Motta is being tipped to become the next Italy manager, current head coach Gennaro Gattuso has been given a relatively kind 2026 World Cup playoff draw.

Gattuso’s position has come under question in recent days after the Azzurri failed to qualify automatically to next year’s extravaganza in North America.

However, the 2006 winner will pit his wits against Northern Ireland on home soil in the semi-final fixture. The game will be played on March 26.

FootItalia’s supercomputer has already predicted Italy to beat the Irish 3-0. A result in which Gattuso would be more than happy to see come to fruition in the new year.

Who Could Italy Face In The Final Of The World Cup Playoff?

If Italy does get the better of Northern Ireland – a nation they have lost to only once in the entire history – the winner of Wales vs Bosnia & Herzegovina will be the Azzurri’s final opponent.

That fixture will be played away from home and will take place on March 31. The four time winners will be fairly confident of beating either nation.

In fact, the Italians have only lost two of their eight fixtures against the Dragons – winning the other six. The last two meetings have ended up in victory with the most recent being a 1-0 win in 2021.

As for Bosnia, the Balkan nation has only beaten Italy once across six previous encounters. The Azzurri have also won their last two H2H matches with the latest being a 1-0 friendly win in June 2024.

Italy Fans React To The 2026 World Cup Playoff Draw

Now Italy’s path to the 2026 World Cup is crystal clear, many posted online about the outcome of the draw. Naturally, supporters were happy to avoid Sweden and North Macedonia.

“Luckily we avoided the armored battleships North Macedonia and Sweden that have already hurt us badly,” one user posted on social media platform X.

Another stated: “With all due respect to the opponents, you can’t be afraid to play against Ireland or to go to Cardiff or to Sarajevo.”

“It could’ve been worse. At least it wasn’t the Ireland team with that Parrot dude. Yikes,” read another message.

However, a number of fans are somewhat concerned about the potential final. With a trip to Wales being considered harder than it looks.

One user posted: “We will beat Ireland…….but that Wales team beats Italy, that hurts to say but it is true!”

“Two finals, Northern Ireland better not be taken for granted like North Macedonia, otherwise a third consecutive World Cup will be missed,” bemoaned another.

“Today’s Italy is so mediocre and mentally fragile that it can perfectly lose against all of them. Especially Wales away from home,” tweeted a supporter.

Gennaro Gattuso Reacts To The World Cup Playoff Draw

With the home semi-final clash coming up against Northern Ireland in March, Head coach Gennaro Gattuso reflected on the World Cup playoff draw.

“It’s a physical team; they never give up,” Gattuso told Sky Sport Italia about the Irish.

“We have to play it. I’ve been saying this for three months. We knew we had to go through the playoffs; we knew our path had to improve. We look ahead with confidence.”

With Federico Chiesa’s Italy future unclear under Gattuso, the 47-year-old opened up about the Liverpool forward and his chances of returning to the squad.

“You know it well. You know Chiesa’s problem. You always ask me the same thing. I call Chiesa in every call-up; I always talk to him. The problem is not Gattuso or his staff; he has a problem, not us.”