Italy will meet thier opponents in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers on Friday 13 December in Zurich at 12pm Live, free to air on Rai 2.
Italy he won the World Cup in football four times, but did not play in the last two World Cups. GO those of 2026, which will be held in Canada, Mexico adn the United StatesItaly naturally wants to participate. The draw for the qualifying groups of the European area will take place on Friday 13 December in Zurich. Italy Spaletti is among the top seeds and will surely avoid all the big teams, but there is no shortage. The draw has slightly complicated criteria and the names of the Italian opponents. There will be eight groups of five teams and four of four. The qualifiers will start next year.
When will the draw for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers take place: the date
The time for the 2026 World Cup qualifying group draw is about to come. There will be tension in the sky on Friday 13 December. In fact, that is the day of the draw which will take place in Zurich starting from 12pm.
Italy top seed in qualifying: why the League of Nations can be fundamental
Despite losing their last Nations League group game against France, Italy qualified for the quarter finals. and the Nations are really critically importent, theoretically and sometimes practically too, as there will be 12 European teams that will go directly to the World Cup. A further four will be added to thes through further matches and four places will be allocated based on the results of the Nations League,in theory the Italian national team could also benefit from them.
In any case, Italy only needs to think about its own group which will consist of four or five teams. This materially means that there will not be many games to play: six or eight, but also that it will be literally forbidden to make mistakes. All the big teams are among the top teams, but there are teams to avoid among those excluded, namely Norway’s Haaland, poland’s Lewandowski, Vincenzo Montella’s Turkey and Serbia’s Vlahovic..
the bands drawn for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers
1st band: france, Spain, England, Belgium, Netherlands, ITALYPortugal, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Denmark, Croatia.
2nd bond: Serbia, Ukraine, Turkey, Sweden, wales, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Greece, Romania, Czech Republic, Norway
3rd band: Scotland, Slovenia, Ireland, Albania, Finland, Georgia, North Macedonia, Iceland, northern Ireland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Israel
4th band: bulgaria, luxembourg, Belarus, Armenia, Kosovo, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, far Oer, lithuania
5th band: Moldova, Andorra, Malta, San Marino, Gibraltar, Liechtenstein
How the group draw works and who goes to the World Cup
From 2026 onwards there will be 48 teams taking part in the World Cup, Europe is the smallest which increases its representative number proportionally: there will be 16 teams. It was decided that the 12 teams that won their respective groups will automatically qualify. The other four places will be assigned through play-offs, which will play the twelve runners-up and four teams who will benefit from four places in the League of Nations.The playoffs will be divided into four paths out of four. There will be two semi-finals and a final, the winner of which will fly to the 2026 World Cup.
because Italy will not instantly know their Qualifying group for the 2026 World Cup
What is important, however, is that Italy will not immediately know the names of their colleagues. Italy and Germany, as opponents in the quarter-finals of the League of Nations, will be included in one block and will be ‘suspended’ together in two groups. The winner of the playoff will end up in a group of four, the loser in a group of four or five. This will apply to all teams in the quarter finals of the Nations League.
Where to watch the World Cup qualifying draw on TV and streaming
The 2026 World Cup qualifying draw can be followed live on free-to-air TV on Rai 2, starting from 12pm also live on RaiSport. Streaming is possible with raiplay.it and also with official UEFA and FIFA accounts.
How has Italy’s national football team evolved over the last decade leading up too the 2026 World Cup?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Football Expert
Time.news Editor: Good morning, and welcome to our special segment on the road to the 2026 World Cup! Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with football expert Dr. Lucia Moretti, who has followed Italy’s journey in the football world for over a decade. Lucia, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Lucia moretti: Good morning, and thank you for having me! It’s an exciting time for football, especially with the upcoming draw for the World Cup qualifiers.
Time.news Editor: Indeed, it is! The draw is set to take place this Friday, December 13th, in Zurich. Can you set the scene for us? What can we expect from this event?
Dr. Lucia Moretti: Absolutely! The draw is crucial as it will determine Italy’s opponents for the qualifying rounds. With the World Cup being held in 2026 in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, the stakes are especially high for the Italian national team, especially sence they missed the last two World Cups.
Time.news Editor: That’s right.Italy has a storied history, being a four-time World Cup champion. What does it mean for the team to qualify this time after their recent absences?
Dr. Lucia Moretti: It’s a matter of national pride! For a footballing nation like Italy,not qualifying for the World Cup is a significant blow. Their history demands success, and the players, along with the coaching staff, feel that pressure. Coach Spalletti has a formidable task ahead, and they must aim to perform well in qualifiers to reverse their fortunes.
Time.news Editor: Speaking of Coach Spalletti, he is listed among the top seeds for the draw, which means Italy will avoid the toughest opponents. What kind of teams might they face instead?
Dr. Lucia Moretti: The format of the draw includes eight groups of five teams and four groups of four, so there’s a mix of stronger and weaker nations involved. Italy may face some competitive teams but should ideally avoid the likes of France or England in this initial draw.It’s essential for them to secure straight victories against less formidable teams to build momentum.
Time.news Editor: Can you elaborate on how the qualification process works and what challenges lie ahead for the team?
Dr. lucia Moretti: Certainly! The qualifiers will start early next year, and every match will be critical. Each group will have a mix of styles and levels of play, which can lead to surprising results. The challenge will also lie in consistency and maintaining player fitness throughout the qualifiers. As we’ve seen, an unexpected injury or an off day for key players can derail even the best-laid plans.
Time.news Editor: Great insights, Lucia! With the draw just around the corner, how can fans catch the live event?
Dr. Lucia Moretti: Italian fans can watch the draw live on Rai 2 starting at 12 PM. It’s a free broadcast, which means fans can gather with fellow supporters to experience the excitement and share their hopes for Italy’s qualifying journey firsthand.
Time.news Editor: Thank you for that data, Lucia.Before we conclude, any final thoughts on what Italy needs to focus on as they gear up for the qualifiers?
Dr. Lucia Moretti: Italy should focus on building a cohesive team dynamic and establishing a strong tactical plan under Spalletti’s guidance. Developing younger talents while leveraging the experience of veteran players is crucial. Success in the qualifiers will hinge on their ability to find a balance and ensure every player knows their role in the grand scheme of things.
Time.news Editor: Thank you,Dr. Moretti, for your expertise and insights into Italy’s World Cup qualifying journey. It’s sure to be an captivating road ahead for the Azzurri.
Dr. Lucia Moretti: Thank you for having me! I’m looking forward to this qualification process and, hopefully, seeing Italy back on the world stage.