The European playoffs for the 2026 World Cup present a crucial opportunity for teams that failed to qualify directly, including Italy. The Italian national team, known as the Azzurra, has been placed in Route A of the UEFA playoffs, alongside teams such as Wales, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Northern Ireland. Each route comprises four teams, and only one team from each route will make it to the World Cup, which is set to be held across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Italy's first match in the playoffs is scheduled for Thursday, March 26, 2026, where they will face Northern Ireland. This match will serve as a semifinal, with the winner advancing to the final of Route A. The other semifinal will feature Wales against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Those matches set up a highly competitive atmosphere as teams vie for a single spot at the World Cup.

Should Italy succeed in defeating Northern Ireland and reach the final, they will compete on Tuesday, March 31, against the winner of the match between Wales and Bosnia and Herzegovina. This pivotal playoff system underscores the importance of each game, as it represents not just a match, but a critical juncture in Italy's quest to return to the global stage of football.