Football Italia expert Alfredo Pedullà looks at Italy’s World Cup play-off opponents and notes that the Azzurri can qualify for next year’s competition despite the football federation’s weakness.
Italy have been paired with Northern Ireland in the World Cup play-off semi-finals and if they progress to the final they will meet the winner between Wales and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
ROME, ITALY – JUNE 19: Gianluigi Buffon, new Italian head coach Gennaro Gattuso and FIGC President Gabriele Gravina pose during the press conference at Parco dei Principi Hotel on June 19, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
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“It went well, considering the technical gap with opponents who, on paper, are weaker. Not qualifying for the third time in a row would be a total disaster, but even if we don’t manage it, Gravina will probably remain in charge,” Pedullà said in his latest YouTube video for Football Italia.
“Northern Ireland have little talent, Wales have strong home support, but above all. Four years ago we thought so much about the final against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal that we even lost to North Macedonia in the semi-final. We are not in a position to make long-term assessments.”
The Italian Football Federation is reportedly trying to find a window for a meeting in February, or even move some Serie A matchesbut one thing is certain, according to Pedullà: “The Federation no longer has as much authority as in the past. It expects controversy and pressure.”
Check out Alfredo’s latest video on the Football Italia YouTube channel below.
