Norway currently leads Group I, putting it in position to qualify directly to the World Cup, though there's a lot of time still left to go. Italy has yet to play a Group I match.

Only the group winners qualify for the 2026 World Cup, while runners-up must go through the playoff, precisely what happened to the Azzurri the last two times they tried to get a pass for the competition.

Italy head to Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo to take on Norway in their opening 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Friday night. Embroiled in UEFA Nations League action in March, Gli Azzurri remain the only