Italy manager Gennaro Gattuso says his side must be ready for a fiercely physical contest when they take on Northern Ireland in March’s World Cup playoff semi-final.

Italy are fighting to return to the World Cup stage for the first time since 2014, having failed to qualify for the last two tournaments—both times crashing out in the playoffs. Victory over Northern Ireland would set up a decisive final against either Wales or Bosnia & Herzegovina, with a place at the 2026 World Cup on the line.

Speaking to Sky Sports Italia after Thursday’s draw, Gattuso warned his players to expect a relentless opponent:

“Northern Ireland is a physical team; they never give up.
We have to play it. I’ve been saying this for three months—we knew the playoffs were coming. We look ahead with confidence.”

Italy searching for stability

Italy dismissed former head coach Luciano Spalletti in June, and while Gattuso made a positive start with wins over Estonia, Israel and Moldova, his team ultimately fell short of securing automatic qualification. A 4-1 defeat to group winners Norway in their final group match sealed their playoff fate.

Gattuso, 47, said the team must address its inconsistencies:

“Right now we must work on our fragility, because when we do things right, we’re competitive.
But you can’t make the kind of mistakes we made the other night. Improving that aspect is my priority.”

A long-awaited return?

The 2026 World Cup—held from June 11 to July 19 across Canada, Mexico and the United States—could mark Italy’s return to football’s biggest stage. But first, they must navigate what Gattuso expects to be a demanding and unforgiving playoff path.