Since the very inception of international football, Italy have been one of the world's best and most formidable nations on the global stage, but they have faced significant heartbreak over the past decade.

Here's how the European path to the World Cup looks with so much yet to be decided

The final six spots for the 2026 World Cup will be decided over the next few days, with playoff games being held in Europe and Mexico.

Italy will face Bosnia and Herzegovina for a place at the 2026 World Cup after beating Northern Ireland 2-0 on Thursday, as Wales and the Republic of Ireland suffered agonising penalty shootout defeats in their qualifying play-off semi-finals.

The Azzurri play the playoff semifinal on Thursday at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo

Sandro Tonali scoring the decisive goal for Gennaro Gattuso’s beleaguered Italy squad in the World Cup playoffs was a dream that began at the midfielder’s breakfast table as a kid.

Italy are one victory away from reaching the World Cup for the first time since 2014 and hope that their 2-0 over Northern Ireland will give them a lift for the deciding play-off match on Tuesday in Bosnia-Herzegovina.