GoKawiilWhen to watch Italy vs. Northern Ireland
Thursday, March 26 at 2:45 p.m. ET (11:45 a.m. PT).
Where to watch
Italy vs. Northern Ireland will air in the US on Fubo and Vix.
Footballing giant Italy is desperate to end its 12-year absence from soccer's biggest competition as it faces off against a young Northern Ireland team today in this high-stakes FIFA World Cup qualifying playoff semifinal.
After a poor start to their qualification campaign, the Azzurri went on a run of six straight wins under new boss Gennaro Gattuso. But a dispiriting 4-1 defeat at San Siro to Norway back in November ensured they would have to go through the playoffs to reach this summer's tournament. In an apparent effort to create a more intimidating atmosphere, Gattuso requested that this match be played at the smaller Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia in Bergamo, as he seeks to prevent Italy from suffering a third successive failure to reach the World Cup.
They take on a Northern Ireland team that has had an even longer wait since its last World Cup appearance, having not qualified since Mexico '86. Coach Michael O'Neill's inexperience may factor into this match as the team attempts to inflict its first defeat on Italy since the 1958 World Cup. That challenge is made even more difficult by the absence through injury of key defender Daniel Ballard, who's having a wonderful season at Sunderland.
The reward for today's winner will be a decisive playoff final away from home against either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina next Tuesday.
Italy takes on Northern Ireland in Bergamo on Thursday, March. 26. Kickoff is set for 8:45 p.m. CET local time. That makes it a 7:45 p.m. GMT start in the UK and Ireland, and a 3:45 p.m. ET or 12:45 p.m. PT start in the US and Canada. For viewers in Australia, the game gets underway at 6:45 a.m. AEDT on Friday morning.
20-year-old Inter Milan striker Pio Esposito has scored three goals in his last four World Cup qualifying appearances for Italy. Image Photo Agency/Getty Images
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