Players of Italy celebrate after scoring the 0-1 goal during the UEFA Nations League soccer match
Italy will compete in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers with Pot 1 status, ensuring they avoid Europe’s top teams like France, Spain, Germany, and England. However, *La Gazzetta dello Sport* identifies three challenging potential opponents from lower pots.
Pot 3 includes formidable teams such as Scotland, Slovenia, and Georgia, all considered threats to the Azzurri. North Macedonia, infamous for eliminating Italy from the 2022 World Cup playoffs, also remains a concern.
Teams in Pot 4 and Pot 5 are less competitive, with nations like Kosovo, Belarus, and Armenia from Pot 4, and smaller teams like Moldova, Malta, and Gibraltar from Pot 5.
Italy's challenge will be navigating these qualifiers while rebuilding after missing out on two consecutive World Cups.
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