Italy vs Northern Ireland: prediction & betting odds 26 March 2026

Italy National Football Team Form

Italy were the favourites to win Group I, but ultimately finished only second. The team recorded six wins and lost both meetings with Norway, who secured automatic qualification for the World Cup. The side kept four clean sheets, but suffered two heavy defeats against the Scandinavians. The national team will now have to try to reach the World Cup via the play-offs for the third consecutive time. It is worth noting that the previous two attempts were unsuccessful, and in the last campaign Italy did not even get past the semi-finals.

• At least three goals were scored in five of Italy's last six World Cup qualifiers.
• The team have won six of their previous seven matches in this tournament (one defeat).
• In 13 of their last 14 home matches in World Cup qualifying, the national team have not conceded more than one goal.

Potential Italy Lineup (3-5-2)

Gianluigi Donnarumma – Riccardo Calafiori, Gianluca Mancini, Alessandro Bastoni – Nicolo Barella, Manuel Locatelli, Sandro Tonali, Matteo Politano – Moise Kean, Matteo Retegui.

Forward Federico Chiesa has left the national team camp due to injury.

Northern Ireland National Football Team Form

Northern Ireland finished only third in their group, as expected, allowing Germany and Slovakia to finish above them. Michael O'Neill's side produced uncompromising results – three wins and three defeats – and ended up three points short of second place. However, a strong Nations League campaign, in which Northern Ireland won their group, allowed the team to secure a place in the play-offs. The side will be trying to reach the World Cup in this way for the second time. On the previous occasion, Northern Ireland could have made it to the tournament in Russia, but lost out to Switzerland (0:1, 0:0).

• At least one team failed to score in six of the national team's last eight World Cup qualifiers.
• Away from home, Northern Ireland have failed to win seven of their previous nine World Cup qualifiers (one draw, six defeats).
• The team have conceded in seven consecutive away matches in this tournament.

Potential Northern Ireland Lineup (4-3-3)

Bailey Peacock-Farrell – Trai Hume, Ciaron Brown, Paddy McNair, Brodie Spencer – Justin Devenny, Isaac Price, Shea Charles – Dion Charles, Josh Magennis, Alistair McCann.

Defenders Jamal Lewis and Conor Bradley were not called up due to injuries. Defender Dan Ballard has also picked up an injury.

Who Will Referee the Match

Danny Makkelie (Netherlands)

Matches – 13 (international fixtures, 2025/26);

Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 33;

Yellow cards per match (average) – 2.5;

Red cards shown – 2;

Fouls per match (average) – 23;

Penalties – 46%.