Former hard-tackling midfielder Gennaro Gattuso has been named as Italy coach and is tasked with reviving the country's already-flagging World Cup qualifying hopes.

Join us for all the build-up and coverage as it happens from Italy’s opening 2026 World Cup qualifier against Erling Haaland’s Norway.

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.

Erling Haaland has scored and Norway has humbled Italy 3-0 for the first time in 25 years in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

Luciano Spalletti’s job as head coach of the Italy national team is under an increased level of scrutiny following a disastrous 3-0 loss away against Norway in the first match of the 2026 World Cup

Norway takes on Italy at the Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo on Friday, June 6. Kickoff is set for 8:45 p.m. CET local time in Norway, making it a 7:45 p.m. BST start in the UK, a 2:45 p.m. ET or 11:45 a.m. PT kickoff in the US and Canada, and a 4:45 a.m. AEST start on Saturday morning in Australia.

Norway stunned Italy with a 3-0 win on Friday, handing the visitors a humiliating start to their World Cup qualifying campaign.

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

Italy has another issue in defense before facing Erling Haaland and Norway on Friday in a World Cup qualifier.

With a parting gift for Luciano Spalletti, Italy has beaten Moldova 2-0 for its first points in the beleaguered national team’s attempt to reach the World Cup for the first time since 2014