Italy manager Gennaro Gattuso is bracing for a bruising battle against Northern Ireland in March when the sides meet in their playoff semi-final for next year's World Cup.

The inter-confederation draw has plotted Jamaica against New Caledonia and Bolivia against Suriname — with DR Congo and Iraq waiting in the two finals. Northern Ireland and Wales have been drawn in the same path as Italy, while Republic of Ireland will face Czech Republic before a potential home final against Denmark.

Italy will face Northern Island in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification play-offs match next March with the winner taking on Wales for a spot to the first-ever 48-team World Cup in the North Americas

Italy manager Gennaro Gattuso is bracing for a bruising battle against Northern Ireland in March when the sides meet in their playoff semi-final for next

JUST four European World Cup spots remain up for grabs, with many huge nations set to fight it out in the play-offs. Northern Ireland will face four-time winners Italy in the semi-finals of Path