Italy vs Northern Ireland Preview: World Cup 2026 Playoffs Lineups, Team News, Odds, Predictions & More

Italy vs Northern Ireland Preview: World Cup 2026 Playoffs Lineups, Team News, Odds, Predictions & More

Author: The Italian Football Podcast March 25, 2026 Duration: 16:44
The FIFA 2026 World Cup qualification - UEFA second round - playoff match between Italy and Northern Ireland takes place on Thursday 26 March at 2045 CET at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo. Carlo Garganese and Nima Tavallaey preview the big game.  We look at the probable XIs, injuries and suspensions, and break down the game tactically before offering our predictions.  Who do you think will win? Who will score? If you want to support The Italian Football Podcast and get every episode, simply become a member on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/TIFP⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ OR ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ OR ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube Memberships⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Your support makes The Italian Football Podcast possible.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For anyone who finds the drama of Serie A as compelling as the football itself, The Italian Football Podcast offers a direct line to the heart of Calcio. Hosted by broadcasters and journalists Carlo Garganese and Nima Tavallaey, this isn't just a recap service. It's a thrice-weekly conversation that digs into the narratives shaping Italian football, from contentious refereeing decisions and tactical shifts to the swirling transfer rumors that keep the gossip columns busy. Each episode of the podcast feels like pulling up a chair at a Milanese café with two well-connected friends who aren't afraid of a strong opinion. The rhythm of the week is key: their Monday episode breaks down the weekend's action, making sense of the results and surprises, and is available widely for everyone. Then, the Tuesday show shifts to address the questions and debates coming directly from the audience, creating a real dialogue. It’s that mix of structured analysis and responsive, sometimes fiery, discussion that gives this podcast its distinctive voice. You get the immediate reaction to a last-minute Juventus winner, the deeper context behind a Napoli managerial change, and the kind of insights that only come from years on the ground covering the league. If your interest goes beyond the scores and into the stories, the culture, and the constant debate that defines Italian football, this is where you tune in.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Italian Football Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Claudio Ranieri To Italy: The Man To Heal A Broken Nation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:06
Claudio Ranieri is being rumored to take over either as coach of the Azzurri or the technical director of the new Italy national team project under incoming FIGC President Giovanni Malagó. Nima Tavallaey and Carli Gargan…
Roberto Baggio: The Reason For Italy’s Youth Football CRISIS [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:29
Roberto Baggio recently outlined the reason for Italian football's crisis in developing top level youth players. Nima Tavallaey and Carlo Garganese discuss, debate and analyze Baggio's statement. This is an extended clip…
Antonio Conte Quits Napoli For Italy National Team? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:17
Will Antonio Conte quit Napoli to take over the vacant Italy National team job? Nima Tavallaey and Carlo Garganese discuss, debate and analyze the reported rumor. This is an extended clip from the weekly Q & A Pod availa…
Italy Will Flop AGAIN At World Cup 2030 With Max Allegri [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:43
AC Milan coach Max Allegri is being rumored to take over the Italy National team job after Gattuso failed. Carlo Garganese discusses and analyzes why Allegri is not the right man for the Azzurri job. This is a clip from…
Is Liverpool Legend Alisson Becker Joining Juventus? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:55
How close is Liverpool legend Alisson Becker to leaving the Premier League for Juventus in the Serie A? Nima Tavallaey and Carlo Garganese discuss, debate and analyze the reported transfer. This is an extended clip from…
Has FIFA Just Confirmed Iran WILL Play At The World Cup? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:07
After Gianni Infantino announced at the FIFA Congress that Iran will definitely play at the 2026 World Cup despite the ongoing war with the United States, does this spell the end to Italy's chances of a backdoor entrance…