Italy return to Udine on Tuesday evening knowing that just one point will be enough to secure their place in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
The Azzurri meet Israel just a month after both teams produced an impressive nine-goal match that ended 5-4 in favor of Gennaro Gattuso’s side.
Italy entered the September international window with ground to make up in Group A, trailing Norway by nine points but holding two games in hand.
They responded well, beating Estonia in Bergamo before heading to Hungary, where they fought a chaotic encounter against Israel.
Gattuso’s side appeared to have squandered a vital win after surrendering a 4-2 lead, but Sandro Tonali’s stoppage-time goal sealed a dramatic win and kept their qualification hopes alive.
Since that tumultuous night, Italy have stayed on course for another win over Estonia on Saturday, despite Matteo Retegui’s penalty miss and Gianluigi Donnarumma’s goalkeeping error.
After losing the opening match to Norway, Italy won four consecutive goals in the group, and scored 13 goals in the last three matches.
Meanwhile, Israel is three points behind Italy in third place, having played one more game and with a lower goal difference. Only a win will keep their faint playoff hopes alive.
Team news for the Italy vs. Israel match
Moise Kean’s early goal helped Italy beat Estonia at the weekend, but the Fiorentina striker – who scored twice in the previous encounter with Israel – suffered an ankle injury and will miss this match.
Gattuso was also forced to make a defensive change due to the suspension of Alessandro Bastoni, paving the way for Roma’s Gianluca Mancini to partner Riccardo Calafiore in central defence.
Up front, Matteo Retegui should keep his place despite missing a penalty in Tallinn, while Giacomo Raspadori is likely to start in support. With Gianluca Scamaca, Matteo Politano and Mattia Zaccagni out due to injury, attacking options remain limited.
Israel will be without midfielder Dore Peretz, who scored two goals against Italy last month. Dan Bitton could be on the bench after his struggles in Norway, with Tai Baribeau or Dor Djerjman up front.
Manor Solomon and Oscar Galloch are expected to start in the wide roles, while Bayern Munich goalkeeper Daniel Peretz should keep his place despite conceding a lot in Oslo.
The expected lineup for the Italy vs. Israel match
Italy: Donnarumma. Di Lorenzo, Mancini, Calafiore, Demarco; Cambiasso, Barilla, Tonali, Spinazzola; Raspadori, Retegui
Israel: da perts; Dasa, Baltaxa, Nahmias, Revivo; Abu Fani, Peretz; Al-Khalaili, Jaloukh, Suleiman; Baribeau
How to watch the Italy-Israel match: TV channel, stream online
The match will be held at the Dacia Arena in Udine on Tuesday 14 October. The match is scheduled to kick off at 7:45 pm local time.
In the UK, the game will be available to watch live on Amazon Prime, while viewers in the US can watch via Fox Soccer Plus or stream via FuboTV. In Italy, coverage will be shown on RAI.
Statistics for the Italy-Israel match
- Italy won four consecutive qualifying matches after losing their first to Norway
- The Azzurri have scored 13 goals in their last three group matches
- Israel did not achieve any wins in its last three matches, and conceded 14 goals in that round
- Italy has kept a clean sheet only once in the last five qualifying matches
- Israel has not qualified for the World Cup since 1970
prediction
Italy has the momentum, home advantage and greater squad depth, while Israel is coming off a heavy defeat in Norway and must win to survive.
Gattuso’s side must complete the task and book their place in the playoffs, although it may not be easy.
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