The draw for the European playoffs for the 2026 World Cup, held at FIFA headquarters in Zurich, is good news for Italy. Donnarumma and his team will face Northern Ireland on March 26, 2026, a team regarded as one of the most accessible despite the unfortunate memories of 1958, when the Northern Irish blocked the Azzurri's path to the World Cup. The semifinal will be played at home, a considerable advantage. If successful, the national team will advance to the final on March 31 to face the winner of the Wales vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina encounter. For the final, however, the draw has determined that Italy would have to play away.