2026 World Cup qualifying draw: Italy learn opponents in double pathway | OneFootball

Italy have learned their opponents for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, but their group will be determined after the Nations League quarter-finals against Germany.

Luciano Spalletti’s Italy have two pathways for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

The draw took place in Zurich on Friday afternoon and was attended by Italy coach Luciano Spalletti.

A 2006 Italy World Cup winner, Gianluca Zambrotta, was in charge of the draw for the fifth and final pot.

2026 World Cup qualifying draw: Italy learn opponents in double pathway

Spalletti in a training session for Italy

The Azzurri will go in Group A if they beat Germany in the Nations League quarter-finals next year or in Group I if they are defeated and eliminated.

The opponents in Group A are Slovakia, Northern Ireland and Luxembourg, while those in Group I are Norway, Israel, Estonia and Moldova.

Italy have missed out on the latest two editions of the World Cup and have not played a knock-out game in the competitions since 2006 when they won the trophy for the fourth time.

2026 World Cup qualifying draw in full

Group A: Winner Italy /Germany, Slovakia, Northern Ireland, and Luxembourg.

Group B: Switzerland, Sweden, Slovenia, Kosovo

Group C: Defeated Portugal/Denmark, Greece, Scotland, Belarus

Group D: Winner France/Croatia, Ukraine, Iceland, Azerbaijan

Group E: Winner Spain/Netherlands, Turkey, Georgia, Bulgaria

Group F: Winner Portugal/Denmark, Hungary, Ireland, Armenia

Group G: Loser Spain/Netherlands, Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Malta

Group H: Austria, Romania, Bosnia&Herzegovina, Cyprus, San Marino Group I: Loser Italy/Germany, Norway, Israel, Estonia, Moldova

Group J: Belgium, Wales, North Macedonia, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein

Group K: England, Serbia, Albania, Latvia, Andorra

Group L: Loser France/Croatia, Czech Republic, Montenegro, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar