World Cup Qualifiers: Norway vs Italy – probable line-ups and where to watch on TV | OneFootball

Italy make their debut in the World Cup qualifiers against Norway this evening with Diego Coppola expected to make his international debut against Erling Haaland and Mateo Retegui in attack.

It kicks off at 20:45 CET (19:45 BST) at the Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo.

It’s the first game in the World Cup qualifiers for the Azzurri, while Norway have already taken the lead in Group I, winning their opening two matches.

Italy national team head coach Luciano Spalletti during his press conference at Coverciano.

Italy CT Luciano Spalletti has been forced to make several changes to the original squad, seeing Alessandro Buongiorno, Matteo Gabbia, Manuel Locatelli and Moise Kean pulling out of the squad due to injuries, while Francesco Acerbi refused to play for the national team, not feeling part of Spalletti’s project.

Hellas Verona defender Coppola, 21, is expected to make his debut in a three-man defence, joining Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Alessandro Bastoni.

LINZ, AUSTRIA – OCTOBER 13: Erling Haaland of Norway speaks with teammate Andreas Hanche-Olsen during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League B Group B3 match between Austria and Norway at Raiffeisen Arena on October 13, 2024 in Linz, Austria. (Photo by Christian Bruna/Getty Images)

Italian sources, including Sky Sport and Gazzetta, confirm that Davide Frattesi is the favourite over Giacomo Raspadori, as Spalletti will aim to keep possession for longer than Norway, keeping Haaland and his teammates as far away from the Azzurri’s box as possible.

Atalanta striker Retegui, the top scorer in Serie A in 2024-25, will lead the Azzurri attack, playing as a lone striker.

Luciano Spalletti, Head Coach of Italy, interacts with Mateo Retegui of Italy after the team’s defeat in the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Spain and Italy at Arena AufSchalke on June 20, 2024 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images for FIGC)

Norway vs Italy – where to watch on TV

The match is available on Amazon Prime Video in the UK and Fox Sports in the US.

Norway vs Italy – probable line-ups

Norway (4-3-3): Nyland; Ryerson, Ajer, Ostigard, Wolfe; Odegaard, Berge, Thorsby; Sorloth, Haaland, Schjeldereup.

Italy (3-4-2-1): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Coppola, Bastoni; Zappacosta, Barella, Rovella, Udogie; Frattesi, Tonali; Retegui.