- Title: FILE: Italy the standouts in World Cup UEFA playoff paths A and B
- Date: 22nd March 2026
- Summary: ITALY CARNAGO, ITALY (FILE - NOVEMBER 15, 2025) (REUTERS) MIDFIELDER SANDRO TONALI (LEFT) & GOALKEEPER GIANLUIGI DONNARUMMA (MIDDLE) AMONGST TEAMMATES DURING RONDO DRILL AT TRAINING DEFENDER ALESSANDRO BASTONI AMONGST TEAMMATES DURING RONDO DRILL DONNARUMMA DURING RONDO DRILL FORWARD GIANLUCA SCAMACCA DURING TRAINING GAME DONNARUMMA DISTRIBUTING BALL DURING TRAINING
- Embargoed:
- Keywords: 2026 FIFA World Cup Path A Path B UEFA Playoffs
- Location: VARIOUS
- City: VARIOUS
- Country: Various
- Topics: Sport,World Cup
- Reuters ID: LVA002463216032026RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Italy find themselves amongst UEFA teams looking to sneak into World Cup through playoffs Paths A and B.
The four-time champions, who have not featured at a World Cup since their group stage exit at the 2014 edition in Brazil face Northern Ireland in Path A, with the winners meeting either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina away in the winner-takes-all encounter.
The Path A qualifier co-hosts Canada, 2022 hosts Qatar and Switzerland in Group B.
In Path B, Ukraine and Sweden meet in neutral Valencia with the winner hosting the final against the winner of the other semi, which sees Poland welcome Albania to Warsaw. Sweden striker Alexander Isak is not expected to take part as he continues his recovery from a broken leg.
The Path B winner will qualify into Group F alongside the Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia.
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