Should the Azzurri reach the final stage of World Cup qualifying, they would face the winner of the match between Craig Bellamy’s national team and the one led by Sergej Barbarez on the road
The bogey teams of Sweden and North Macedonia have been avoided, but Northern Ireland does not evoke positive memories for Italy. In January 1958, the Azzurri suffered a shocking 2-1 loss in Belfast and were eliminated from the World Cup in Sweden. On March 26, however, Gattuso’s national team has the chance to get revenge in the semifinal (single-leg match) of the 2026 World Cup playoffs, which will be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada next summer. Italy will play this match at home (Bergamo is the favorite), as it was a top seed. A potential final on March 31, against either Wales or Bosnia, will instead be an away game for the Azzurri. This was decided today by the draw in Zurich. Sixteen European national teams will participate in the playoffs: the 12 that finished second in their respective qualifying groups (including Italy) plus the four teams that qualified through the 2024–25 Nations League. Let’s take a look at the strengths, weaknesses, star players, and key assets of the Azzurri’s two potential opponents in the final.
Wales held its own against Belgium until the very end in Group J, finishing second with 16 points: their record stands at five wins, one draw, and two losses—both of which came in their two head-to-head matches against the Red Devils. Worth noting are the 21 goals scored in eight matches—a sign of a team committed to attack.
The star— The standout player is Brennan Johnson, Tottenham’s center forward. He is the spearhead of the Welsh attack: he’s fast, technically skilled, and always looking to attack the space behind the defense. The Italian defenders, should they face him, have been warned. In the qualifying round, he scored two goals and provided one assist: he’s not a prolific scorer, but he’s always a threat throughout the ninety minutes. In 2023, the Spurs spent 55 million euros to sign him from Nottingham Forest.
How they play— Wales played in many different ways during the qualifying campaign. Their preferred formation is the 4-2-3-1, though they’ve used two strikers on several occasions. The wide channels are one of the British national team’s strengths, especially on the right, where former Manchester United player Daniel James plays. Captain Harry Wilson, a midfielder, has sometimes been deployed as a lone striker to throw opponents off. Wales isn’t a particularly physical team, but they run hard and play with extra intensity at home. For Italy, if they face them, this won’t be an easy hurdle to clear. Typical lineup (4-2-3-1): Darlow; Williams, Lawlor, Rodon, Dasilva; Wilson, Sheehan, Wilson; James, Cullen, Brooks; Johnson.
Head Coach— Craig Bellamy has been Wales’ head coach since 2024. As a player, he was a prolific striker who played for Manchester City and Liverpool, among others. At 46, he is in the prime of his coaching career, which began ten years ago in Cardiff’s youth system and continued at Anderlecht and Burnley. Off the field, he’s had more than a few run-ins with the law: in 2002, he was involved in a brawl with a student; in 2006, he was acquitted of assault charges brought by two women; during a 2009 Manchester derby, he punched a United fan who had stormed the field; and in 2011, he was arrested for fighting. In short, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
Bosnia came within a hair’s breadth of direct qualification for the World Cup, finishing second in Group H with 17 points, behind Austria, with whom they drew 1-1 on the final matchday. Their record stands at five wins, two draws, and one loss: not a bad run, but it wasn’t enough.
The Star— He may be 39 years old, but Edin Dzeko continues to be the star of his national team. In the qualifying round, he scored 5 goals, which weren’t enough to secure direct qualification. Despite a difficult season with Fiorentina, the former Inter player remains the all-time leader in appearances (146) and goals (72) for Bosnia. Against Wales in the semifinals, Dzeko hopes to be in the best possible shape. Also worth mentioning are Muharemovic, a defender for Sassuolo, and Kolasinac of Atalanta: a mix of young players and veterans.
How they play— In their most recent qualifying matches, Bosnia took the field in a 4-3-3 formation, switching to a 4-2-3-1 when necessary. Dzeko leads the attack, often flanked by Memic and Alajbegovic on the wings. Also missing from the lineup is Demirovic, the Stuttgart striker, who has been sidelined for some time with a foot injury. In midfield is former Roma player Tahirovic, born in 2003, a central midfielder known for his speed and dynamism. Overall, the team is solid; although it hasn’t played in a World Cup since 2014, it possesses both experience and quality. Overall, it’s an attack-minded team: 17 goals scored in eight qualifying matches and just 7 conceded. Typical lineup (4-3-3): Vasilij; Malic, Radeljic, Muharemovic, Kolasinac; Tahirovic, Sunjic, Gigovic; Demirovic, Dzeko, Dedic.
The head coach— Bosnia’s head coach is Sergej Barbarez, who has been in the position since last year. He has a background as a player in Germany, having played for Hamburg, Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen, Union Berlin, and Hannover; with 330 appearances, he is the foreign player with the most appearances in the Bundesliga. He played 47 games for the Bosnian national team.
