Italy hopes to overturn their disappointment of failing to qualify for the last two World Cups as they begin their qualifying journey for the 2026 edition with a tough outing against Norway.
NOR vs ITA Match Details
Date: Friday, 6 June 2025 / Saturday, 7 June 2025
Time: 20:45 (CET) / 00:15 (IST)
Venue: Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo
NOR vs ITA Match Preview
Because of Italy’s involvement in the Nations League quarterfinals in March, Norway took full advantage of starting the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup earlier by registering back-to-back wins over Moldova and Israel. That puts them on top of their group and in an excellent position ahead of facing the Azzuri in the first home game of these qualifiers. Only the group winners can earn an automatic berth to the finals hosted in USA, Canada and Mexico, with the team captained by Arsenal’s Martin Ødegaard and star striker Erling Haaland leading the line, desperate to grab the place after failing to qualify for any World Cup editions since 1998 and last made a major tournament at Euro 2000. The current team, seemingly the golden generation, has made a strong start to end their long exile from the tournament, with nine goals scored in the first two games and conceding just twice. Now they take on the biggest challenge in the group, whom they have to beat to snatch the top spot, otherwise settle for the playoff spot by finishing second, which they are predicted to do. The Norwegians are dreaming of a first competitive win in this fixture in 34 years and they have every right to do so, carrying a rich vein of form, including a five-game winning streak which helped achieve promotion to League A of the Nations League.
Norway’s run of form will keep Italy on their toes as they begin the qualifiers with no wins in their last three games. Despite a strong start to the 2024-25 Nations League campaign, after a terrible Euro defence last summer, Luciano Spalletti’s men had to settle for the second spot in their group before getting eliminated by Germany in the quarterfinals. Their sensational fight-back in the second leg did not bear any fruit as they look to return to winning ways in a crucial opener to their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. Italy knows that losing against Norway in Oslo, having won in their last trip 11 years ago, will be a hard thing to recover with the opposition taking a substantial lead in their absence. However, the Azzurri carry a welcoming record against the Norwegians in major tournament qualifiers, staying unbeaten in the last six of such meetings, which will give them motivation to take important points in their quest of returning to the tournament which they haven’t seen the face of since exiting from the group stage in Brazil in 2014. The team lost in World Cup qualification twice, first time in 67 years in 2018 and 2022, despite being crowned Euro Championship winners a year ago. There is significantly more pressure this time for Italy to reach the finals, especially with the tournament expanding to 48 teams.
NOR vs ITA Recent Form
NOR: LWWWW
ITA: WWLLD
NOR vs ITA Dream11 Team News
Norway has a fully fit squad available with no players involved in recent European club competition finals, unlike Italy, who had captain Gianluigi Donnarumma and midfielder Nicolo Barella in the Champions League final. However, Azzuri’s problems are more than just player load, as they have key players missing at the back, with Riccardo Calafiori out again with injury, as is Alessandro Buongiorno (thigh) and Matteo Gabbia (calf). Champions League runners-up with Inter, Francesco Acerbi, has also turned down a recall, citing a lack of respect, while Manuel Locatelli pulled out due to an ankle injury.
NOR vs ITA Predicted Lineups
Norway
Nyland; Ryerson, Ostigard, Ajer, Wolfe; Odegaard, Berge, Berg, Schjelderup; Sorloth, Haaland
Italy
Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Gatti, Bastoni; Cambiaso, Barella, Ricci, Tonali, Udogie; Retegui, Kean
NOR vs ITA Dream11 Match Prediction
Norway has started the qualifiers extremely well and will want to prove their credentials against their main challengers for the top spot, Italy, at home. However, the Azzurri are also eager to overcome their recent disappointing results despite facing an injury crisis in defence. A draw might be the result of this encounter, which might benefit the Norwegians more in the long run. We predict a high-scoring 2-2 draw between the sides.
NOR vs ITA Head-to-head
Played - 15
NOR won - 8
Drawn - 4
ITA won - 3
NOR vs ITA Dream11 Team Top picks
Captain Pick: Erling Haaland
Vice-captain Pick: Alexander Sørloth, Martin Odegaard
Our top picks for NOR vs ITA Dream11 are Erling Haaland with two goals in two qualifying games and Alexander Sørloth bagging the same.
The other option could be Martin Odegaard, with four assists in two games, including a hat-trick of assists in the 4-2 win against Israel.
NOR vs ITA Dream11 Team Suggestion
GK: Donnarumnma (Cr - 8)
DEF: Di Lorenzo (Cr - 8), Ajer (Cr - 8), Bastoni (Cr - 7.5)
MID: Odegaard (Cr - 8.5), Berge (Cr - 7.5), Tonali (Cr - 8.5), Barella (Cr - 8)
FW: Retegui (Cr - 9), Haaland (Cr - 9), Sorloth (Cr - 8.5)
Vice-captain: Alexander Sørloth
Captain: Erling Haaland
