An vital worldwide break, however one that may not change a lot. Gattuso’s Italy will fly to Moldova earlier than internet hosting Haaland’s Norway. If all the things goes as anticipated, the Azzurri will end in second place, which implies playoffs.
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After all, there’s all the time hope that Norway gained’t win towards Estonia, suspending all the things to the direct conflict within the final match, however wanting on the Scandinavians’ journey, it appears at the least tough to think about a misstep: up to now, Norway has been going full velocity, with 6 wins out of 6, 29 targets scored (Italy has 11 fewer) and solely 3 conceded.
For this reason, briefly, at Coverciano they’ve already began enthusiastic about the playoffs. A 3rd consecutive World Cup watched from the sofa just isn’t an possibility being thought-about, which is why there’s (cautious) optimism when wanting in direction of the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
🥇 Italy a seeded group?
Additionally as a result of, in case of qualification, the trail to the World Cup might be simpler, at the least on paper. In keeping with Soccer Meets Information, FIFA is definitely contemplating altering the way in which the teams are determined. How? By giving precedence to the rating.
📸 STEFANO RELLANDINI – AFP or licensors
As issues at present stand, Italy (who would qualify by way of the playoffs) can be positioned in pot 4, the final one, and would due to this fact have a excessive probability of ending up in a bunch of demise. Nevertheless, if the change goes by way of, the rating can be rewarded, permitting the Azzurri to be drawn from pot one, the seeded groups, with Germany shifting to the second tier, Austria to the third, and so forth.
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For now, all that is only a rumor, nothing official, however it might definitely be nice information for Gattuso. FIFA is contemplating it, however can have lower than a month to decide. The draw, the truth is, will happen on December fifth in Washington. Fourteen days earlier, nevertheless, Italy will discover out the title of their opponent within the playoff semifinal within the draw on November twenty first. After all, that’s if Norway beats Estonia. In any other case, first place will probably be up for grabs at San Siro.
This text was translated into English by Synthetic Intelligence.
📸 Marco Luzzani – 2025 Getty Pictures
