Italy faces Northern Ireland in a high-stakes FIFA World Cup UEFA Qualification playoff semi-final at the Stadio di Bergamo (New Balance Arena) in Bergamo on Thursday, March 26, 2026. The Azzurri are desperate to end a potential 16-year World Cup drought after missing the 2018 and 2022 tournaments. Northern Ireland seeks their first World Cup finals appearance since 1986. This single-elimination knockout match carries enormous pressure for the four-time champions playing at home, while the visitors look to repeat their historic 1958 upset when they eliminated Italy 2-1 in Belfast. The winner advances to face Wales or Bosnia & Herzegovina on March 29 for a coveted spot in Group B.
Match Preview
Italy enters this playoff with a psychological burden after consecutive World Cup qualification failures against Sweden and North Macedonia. Despite a 4-1 hammering by Norway in their final qualifying match, coach Gennaro Gattuso has transformed the Azzurri’s attack, with the team scoring 21 goals during qualification at 2.625 goals per game. Mateo Retegui leads the scoring charts with five goals. The home advantage at the New Balance Arena provides significant comfort compared to the 1958 away defeat in Belfast 68 years ago. Northern Ireland, meanwhile, managed seven goals during qualification from seven different scorers, showcasing their collective attacking threat and improving young squad. Gattuso has warned that Northern Ireland is “a tough team that never surrenders,” acknowledging the genuine threat they pose despite Italy’s status as heavy favorites. The single-match format eliminates any safety net, making this a must-win encounter with no second chances. The historical context adds extra spice, as this rematch occurs nearly seven decades after Northern Ireland’s shocking elimination of Italy from World Cup qualification for the first time in their history. The stakes couldn’t be higher for both nations in this winner-takes-all showdown.
Kickoff Time
The match kicks off at 7:45 p.m. GMT on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at the Stadio di Bergamo in Bergamo, Italy. Here are the start times across major time zones:
- United States (ET): 2:45 p.m.
- India (IST): 1:15 a.m. Friday, March 27
- Australia (AEST): 5:45 a.m. Friday, March 27
- Central Europe (CET): 8:45 p.m.
How to watch online & on TV
This FIFA World Cup playoff match is broadcast across multiple platforms globally. In the UK, BBC offers free coverage on BBC One NI and BBC Three, plus streaming via BBC iPlayer. Italian fans can watch on Rai 1 and RaiPlay at no cost. German viewers need a DAZN subscription, while French fans can access the match through L’Équipe Live Foot or SuperSport channels. Scandinavian countries rely on Viaplay and TV2 services, which require paid subscriptions. Latin American viewers access coverage through Disney+ Premium in most countries, while Sky Mexico holds rights in Mexico. Australian fans need a Stan Sport subscription, and Middle Eastern audiences watch via beIN Sports. African viewers primarily use SuperSport Maximo 2 and DStv Now across the continent. Subscription costs vary by region and platform, ranging from free public broadcasters to premium streaming services.
| 🇬🇧 England | BBC, BBC Three, BBC One NI |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | Rai 1, RaiPlay |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | DAZN |
| 🇫🇷 France | SuperSport Maximo 2, SuperSport Premier League, L’Équipe Live Foot |
| 🏴 Scotland | BBC, BBC Three, BBC One NI |
| 🇸🇪 Sweden | Viaplay, V Sport Football |
| 🇫🇮 Finland | V Sport Football |
| 🇳🇴 Norway | Viaplay, TV2 |
| 🇩🇰 Denmark | TV2 Den |
| 🇨🇭 Switzerland | RTS Sport |
| 🇮🇪 Ireland | BBC, BBC Three, BBC One NI |
| 🇬🇧 Northern Ireland | BBC, BBC Three, BBC One NI |
| 🇵🇱 Poland | Polsat 3 |
| 🇺🇦 Ukraine | MEGOGO |
| 🇨🇿 Czech Republic | Sport 1 |
| 🇷🇴 Romania | Prima 1, Digi 1 |
| 🇸🇰 Slovakia | Sport 1 |
| 🏴 Wales | BBC, BBC Three, BBC One NI |
| 🇧🇬 Bulgaria | Diema 3 |
| 🇷🇸 Serbia | Arena 1 |
| 🇧🇦 Bosnia & Herzegovina | Arena 1 |
| 🇲🇹 Malta | Rai 1 |
| 🇫🇴 Faroe Islands | TV2 Den |
| 🇲🇰 North Macedonia | Arena 1 |
| 🇦🇷 Argentina | Disney+ Premium |
| 🇧🇷 Brazil | ESPN, Disney+ |
| 🇨🇱 Chile | Disney+ Premium |
| 🇲🇽 Mexico | Sky Mexico |
| 🇵🇾 Paraguay | Disney+ Premium |
| 🇵🇪 Peru | Disney+ Premium |
| 🇺🇾 Uruguay | Disney+ Premium |
| 🇨🇴 Colombia | Disney+ Premium |
| 🇪🇨 Ecuador | Disney+ Premium |
| 🇻🇪 Venezuela | Disney+ Premium |
| 🇧🇴 Bolivia | Disney+ Premium |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | DAZN |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | Stan Sport |
| 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia | beIN Sports 1 |
| 🇮🇷 Iran | beIN Sports 1 |
| 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | beIN Sports 1 |
| 🇧🇭 Bahrain | beIN Sports 1 |
| 🇶🇦 Qatar | beIN Sports 1 |
| 🇾🇪 Yemen | beIN Sports 1 |
| 🇯🇴 Jordan | beIN Sports 1 |
| 🇰🇼 Kuwait | beIN Sports 1 |
| 🇴🇲 Oman | beIN Sports 1 |
| 🇱🇧 Lebanon | beIN Sports 1 |
| 🇮🇶 Iraq | beIN Sports 1 |
| 🇮🇩 Indonesia | RCTI |
| 🇿🇦 South Africa | SuperSport Maximo 2 |
| 🇳🇬 Nigeria | SuperSport Maximo 2, DStv Now |
| 🇲🇦 Morocco | beIN Sports 1 |
| 🇹🇳 Tunisia | beIN Sports 1 |
| 🇩🇿 Algeria | beIN Sports 1 |
| 🇪🇬 Egypt | beIN Sports 1 |
| 🇱🇾 Libya | beIN Sports 1 |
| 🇦🇴 Angola | DStv Now, SuperSport Maximo 2, SuperSport Premier League |
| 🇬🇭 Ghana | SuperSport Premier League, DStv Now, SuperSport Maximo 2 |
| 🇸🇲 San Marino | RaiPlay, Rai 1 |
| 🇸🇩 Sudan | SuperSport Maximo 2, DStv Now, SuperSport Premier League, beIN Sports 1 |
| 🇸🇾 Syria | beIN Sports 1 |
| 🇵🇸 Palestine | beIN Sports 1 |
| 🇸🇳 Senegal | SuperSport Maximo 2, SuperSport Premier League, DStv Now |
| 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe | DStv Now, SuperSport Premier League, SuperSport Maximo 2 |
| 🇰🇪 Kenya | SuperSport Maximo 2, DStv Now, SuperSport Premier League |
| 🇨🇲 Cameroon | DStv Now, SuperSport Maximo 2, SuperSport Premier League |
| 🇪🇹 Ethiopia | SuperSport Maximo 2, SuperSport Premier League, DStv Now |
| 🇷🇼 Rwanda | SuperSport Premier League, SuperSport Maximo 2 |
| 🇨🇮 Ivory Coast | SuperSport Premier League, DStv Now, SuperSport Maximo 2 |
| 🇲🇱 Mali | SuperSport Premier League, SuperSport Maximo 2, DStv Now |
| 🇿🇲 Zambia | SuperSport Maximo 2, SuperSport Premier League |
| 🇲🇷 Mauritania | SuperSport Premier League, DStv Now, SuperSport Maximo 2, beIN Sports 1 |
| 🇳🇦 Namibia | DStv Now, SuperSport Maximo 2, SuperSport Premier League |
| 🇧🇼 Botswana | DStv Now, SuperSport Maximo 2, SuperSport Premier League |
| 🇹🇬 Togo | DStv Now, SuperSport Premier League, SuperSport Maximo 2 |
| 🇲🇼 Malawi | SuperSport Maximo 2, SuperSport Premier League, DStv Now |
| 🇧🇯 Benin | SuperSport Premier League, SuperSport Maximo 2 |
| 🇬🇲 Gambia | DStv Now, SuperSport Premier League, SuperSport Maximo 2 |
| 🇱🇸 Lesotho | SuperSport Premier League, SuperSport Maximo 2, DStv Now |
| 🇺🇬 Uganda | SuperSport Maximo 2, DStv Now, SuperSport Premier League |
| 🇬🇦 Gabon | SuperSport Premier League, SuperSport Maximo 2, DStv Now |
| 🇧🇮 Burundi | DStv Now, SuperSport Premier League, SuperSport Maximo 2 |
| 🇨🇩 DR Congo | DStv Now, SuperSport Premier League, SuperSport Maximo 2 |
| 🇧🇫 Burkina Faso | SuperSport Maximo 2, DStv Now, SuperSport Premier League |
| 🇬🇳 Guinea | SuperSport Premier League, DStv Now, SuperSport Maximo 2 |
| 🇨🇻 Cape Verde | SuperSport Premier League, DStv Now, SuperSport Maximo 2 |
| 🇨🇬 Republic of the Congo | SuperSport Maximo 2, SuperSport Premier League, DStv Now |
| 🇳🇪 Niger | SuperSport Premier League, DStv Now, SuperSport Maximo 2 |
| 🇲🇬 Madagascar | SuperSport Maximo 2, DStv Now, SuperSport Premier League |
| 🇨🇫 Central African Republic | SuperSport Maximo 2, SuperSport Premier League |
| 🇸🇱 Sierra Leone | SuperSport Premier League, DStv Now, SuperSport Maximo 2 |
| 🇲🇿 Mozambique | SuperSport Maximo 2, SuperSport Premier League, DStv Now |
| 🇬🇼 Guinea-Bissau | DStv Now, SuperSport Premier League, SuperSport Maximo 2 |
| 🇹🇿 Tanzania | SuperSport Premier League, SuperSport Maximo 2, DStv Now |
| 🇬🇶 Equatorial Guinea | DStv Now, SuperSport Maximo 2, SuperSport Premier League |
| 🇸🇿 Eswatini | SuperSport Maximo 2, DStv Now, SuperSport Premier League |
| 🇰🇲 Comoros | SuperSport Premier League, SuperSport Maximo 2 |
| 🇱🇷 Liberia | SuperSport Maximo 2, SuperSport Premier League, DStv Now |
| 🇲🇺 Mauritius | SuperSport Maximo 2, DStv Now, SuperSport Premier League |
| 🇹🇩 Chad | SuperSport Maximo 2, SuperSport Premier League, DStv Now, beIN Sports 1 |
| 🇸🇹 São Tomé & Príncipe | SuperSport Maximo 2, SuperSport Premier League |
| 🇸🇨 Seychelles | DStv Now, SuperSport Maximo 2, SuperSport Premier League |
| 🇩🇯 Djibouti | SuperSport Premier League, DStv Now, SuperSport Maximo 2, beIN Sports 1 |
| 🇪🇷 Eritrea | DStv Now, SuperSport Premier League, SuperSport Maximo 2 |
| 🇸🇴 Somalia | SuperSport Premier League, SuperSport Maximo 2, beIN Sports 1 |
How to watch anywhere with VPN
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) allows you to bypass geographical restrictions and access streaming platforms from anywhere in the world. If you’re traveling abroad or your region doesn’t have broadcast rights, a VPN connects you to a server in a country where the match is available, making it appear as though you’re browsing from that location. This unlocks access to free platforms like BBC iPlayer or RaiPlay that would otherwise be blocked outside their home countries. Here’s how to set it up:
- Subscribe to a reputable VPN service that offers servers in your target country (UK, Italy, Germany, etc.)
- Download and install the VPN app on your device (works on iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Smart TVs, and Fire Stick)
- Connect to a server in the country where your preferred broadcaster operates (e.g., UK server for BBC)
- Open the streaming platform and log in or create an account if required
- Start watching the Italy vs Northern Ireland match as if you were in that country
Most VPN services offer 30-day money-back guarantees, making it risk-free to test for this match. Ensure your VPN provider offers fast connection speeds to avoid buffering during crucial moments.
How to watch at Sportsbooks
Many online sportsbooks offer live streaming of major football matches directly on their platforms, including World Cup qualifiers. This option is particularly useful if you already have a betting account or want to combine watching with in-play wagering. The streaming quality is typically reliable, and you can access matches on desktop, mobile apps, and tablets. To watch Italy vs Northern Ireland through a sportsbook:
- Register an account with a licensed sportsbook that offers live streaming in your region
- Make a qualifying deposit (minimum amounts vary, typically £5-£10 or equivalent)
- Ensure you have funds in your account or have placed a bet within the last 24 hours (requirements differ by bookmaker)
- Navigate to the live streaming section or look for the ‘Play’ icon next to the Italy vs Northern Ireland fixture
- Click to start streaming once the match begins at 7:45 p.m. GMT
Check your sportsbook’s terms and conditions, as some require an active bet on the match to access the stream. Geo-restrictions apply, so this method works best when combined with a VPN if you’re outside permitted territories.
Don’t miss this do-or-die World Cup playoff as Italy battles to end their tournament drought and Northern Ireland seeks history. The winner takes a massive step toward the 2026 World Cup finals. Tune in on March 26 at 7:45 p.m. GMT, and return to TipsGG afterward for complete match analysis, player ratings, and playoff final predictions as the road to the World Cup continues.