2026 World Cup qualifiers draw live: Italy discovers its opponents

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Luciano Spalletti’s Italy today knows its opponents for the European qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup: follow the draw LIVE on the Football Italia LIVEBLOG.

The Azzurri have missed the last two World Cups and have not played a knockout match since 2006, when they lifted the trophy in Berlin after winning the final against France on penalties.

Italy are in the top pot of today’s draws alongside other European giants such as France, England and European champions Spain.

Vincenzo Montella’s Turkey and Erling Haaland’s Norway are probably among the toughest opponents the Azzurri can face in their qualifying group.

The teams will be divided into 12 groups of four or five.

The 12 group winners will automatically qualify for the final phase. The 12 finalists will advance to the play-offs, alongside the four highest-ranked UEFA Nations League group winners who have not yet qualified.

The draw will begin at noon CET (11:00 GMT). Follow it as it happens on the Football Italia live blog below.