In the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Europe, Norway completely dominated with the top spot in Group I, along with an unstoppable Erling Haaland with 12 goals.

The 2026 World Cup ticket for Haaland and his teammates is just a theory. Even Italy knows that they cannot compete with their opponents for the top spot in the group, even though there is a direct confrontation in a month.

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The match to decide the second place in Group I. Photo: Imago

Coach Gennaro Gattuso's goal is clear: to secure second place in the group to enter the play-off stage for a ticket to North America.

After missing two World Cups , the Italians are desperate to return to the biggest football festival on the planet. No one can imagine what will happen if the Azzurri cannot go to the US, Canada and Mexico.

Italy is currently second in Group I with 12 points, 3 points ahead of Israel. Therefore, the encounter in Udine is decisive for both opponents.

Last month, the Azure team won a super dramatic 5-4. Gattuso does not want another “heart attack” scenario at home.

A win would mathematically guarantee Italy second place in the group. In that case, Gattuso's men would only need a point from their final two games against Moldova and Norway to officially secure a play-off spot.

There is a problem for Rino Gattuso: Moise Kean failed the medical , following the ankle injury he suffered in the match against Estonia.

Kean missed the Israel game and was allowed to leave the training camp. The Fiorentina player has been in great form since Gattuso arrived.

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Italy lost Kean, who played very well under Gattuso. Photo: Imago

In the last three games with Gattuso, Kean has been the one to break the deadlock for the Azzurri - either opening the scoring or starting a comeback. He has four goals in total.

Gattuso is not giving up his attacking style of play. He needs new solutions to support Mateo Retegui.

Italy still has limitations in defense, besides Gigio Donnarumma's mistakes. However, with the spirit that Gattuso conveys, Azzurri have the opportunity to take 3 more points against Israel.

Force:

Italy : Moise Kean, Scamacca , Zaccagni , Politano are injured.

Israel: Yehezkel, Miguel V i tor , Nachmias, Goldberg, Dor Peretz, Mahmoud Jaber, Dia Saba are injured.

Expected lineup:

Italy (4-4-2): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Mancini, Calafiori, Dimarco; Cambiaso, Barella, Tonali, Spinazzola; Raspadori, Retegui

Israel (4-2-3-1): Da. Peretz; Dasa, Baltaxa, Nachmias, Revivo; Abu Fani, E. Peretz; Khalaily, Gloukh, Solomon; Baribo .

Match odds: Italy handicap 2

Goal ratio: 3 1/2

Prediction: Italy win 3-1 .

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/nhan-dinh-bong-da-italia-vs-israel-vong-loai-world-cup-2026-2452391.html