Luciano Spalletti and the Azzurri must now deliver. © APA/afp / ALBERTO PIZZOLI

“Everything is at stake”: Italy fears for World Cup ticket

After missing two consecutive World Championships, the Squadra Azzurra is under pressure. A win on Friday against the suddenly powerful Norwegians is essential.

June 05, 2025

From: dpa

Led by superstar Erling Haaland, Norway aims to make their third World Cup qualifier a success. After two opening victories, the Vikings will now host Italy in Oslo on Friday (20.45:2026 p.m.). For the Squadra Azzurra, this is the start of their battle for a ticket to the XNUMX FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. And Italy is under pressure.

A defeat in their opening match would already give the Norwegians a comfortable cushion in Group I. "Everything is at stake," Spalletti said beforehand. "The players and I are fully aware of that. We have a duty to fulfill the task entrusted to us." The hosts made a convincing start to their qualification campaign in Hungary in March with decisive victories against the Republic of Moldova (5-0) and Israel (4-2). With the golden generation around Haaland and Martin Ødegaard, team boss Ståle Solbakken is now aiming to finally achieve their first World Cup appearance since 1998.

Italy without Acerbi and Kean

In Oslo, Spalletti will be without Inter defender Francesco Acerbi (37), who declined to be called up due to a lack of respect after two and a half years without a game, and also striker Moise Kean due to a thigh injury. The Fiorentina striker has had his most successful season to date with 19 goals in Serie A, after the 25-year-old failed to score a single goal at Juventus last season.

“We have a duty to fulfill this task” Italy coach Luciano Spalletti

In March, Kean started in both Nations League quarterfinals against Germany (1-2 and 3-3 draws) and scored two goals. Spalletti will likely call on Atalanta striker Mateo Retegui, who is the Serie A top scorer ahead of Kean with 25 goals. The Germans will also be watching the clash with keen interest, as they are up for ninth place in the FIFA world rankings and, if they qualify, Pot 1 for the World Cup draw. This would likely mean an easier group; Italy currently sits just ahead of Germany in ninth place.