AI Supercomputer Predicts Italy’s Results Against All Four Potential 2026 World Cup Playoff Opponents

Now the European group stages have been completed, Italy knows their potential 2026 World Cup playoff opponents. 

The Azzurri are hoping it will be third time lucky after they crashed out at this stage for the 2018 and 2022 editions. Failure to progress once again is almost unthinkable.

Already, talk of a new Italy manager being installed is gathering traction. However, current head coach Gennaro Gattuso will be focusing on booking their spot in North America.

Who Could Italy Play In The 2026 World Cup Playoffs?

After Italy was condemned to second spot in I after their 4-1 trouncing by Norway, they will now face one of North Macedonia, Romania, Sweden or Northern Ireland. The draw on November 20 will confirm their exact opposition. 

The semi-final fixture will be played on home soil on March 26 and the winner will be determined on the night. If the Azzurri progress, they’ll face a nation from pot 2 or 3 on March 31.

Owing to their FIFA ranking, the four-time winners were placed in pot 1 and their four possible 2026 World Cup playoff opponents for the semis are all pot 4.

AI Supercomputer Predicts Italy’s Results Against All Four Opponents

FootItalia’s AI supercomputer has calculated Italy’s scores against North Macedonia, Romania, Sweden and Northern Ireland. 

A 3-0 victory against the Irish has been predicted which is the Azzurri’s biggest and most convincing win. 

If the four-time winners come up against the Macedonians – the Italians will prevail with a 2-1 victory and at the same time, exact revenge for the 2022 playoff. 

That is also the expected outcome against the Swedes. Italy are predicted to win 1-0 with the Romanians set to lose 2-0 – should they be drawn together. 

All in all, it bodes very well for Azzurri supporters and under-pressure head boss Gennaro Gattuso. The Italy faithful will take any one of those scorelines in March.

When Was The Last Time Italy Played At The FIFA World Cup?

Italy have not featured in the World Cup finals since 2014. The extravaganza in Brazil saw them drawn in group D alongside Costa Rica, England and Uruguay.

The Azzurri didn’t qualify for the knockout stages having placed third. Amazingly, the Italians have only won a single World Cup finals game since their victory in 2006.

That solitary victory came against the Three Lions in the 2014 tournament. Four years previous, they again crashed out in the group stages after two draws and a loss.

In 2018 and 2022, they failed to qualify altogether. They crashed out to Sweden and North Macedonia in the playoffs. Two potential opponents they could face in March.

Will Gennaro Gattuso Be Fired If Italy Fails To Qualify?

If Gennaro Gattuso fails to book Italy’s spot in North America, it’s extremely likely he’ll either quit or be relieved of his duties. In laymen’s terms, it’s all or nothing for the 2006 winner.

Gattuso was up against it when he replaced Luciano Spalletti in June. The crushing 3-0 defeat to Norway on matchday 1 meant the Azzurri were always playing catch up. 

After eight games, the Scandinavians couldn’t be caught and finished up with a 100% win record. The 4-1 hammering against Stale Solbakken’s side on November 18 further highlighted Gattuso’s worrying stance. 

Not only that, Federico Chiesa’s Italy future looks bleak under the 47-year-old with many supporters wanting him recalled to the nazionale set-up.