Republic of Ireland, Norway, Turkey, Latvia and San Marino. Those are the Azzurrini’s opponents in Group A of qualifying for U21 EURO 2025, which will be played in Slovakia. The draw in Nyon laid out Italy’s potential route to the finals; the winners of the nine group winners will qualify directly for the tournament, as will host nation Slovakia and the three top-ranked runners-up. The other six runners-up will go into the playoffs to decide the remaining three qualifying spots.

Italy, who start their qualifying campaign in September following Euro 2023 in June and July, have been drawn in the same group as the Republic of Ireland for the third time in a row. In fact, the 4-1 win over the Boys in Green in Ascoli Piceno back in June of last year saw Nicolato’s side book their ticket to this summer’s tournament. Norway, who were in pot three for the draw, will be one of the Azzurrini’s opponents at the Euros this summer. Italy take on the Scandinavians in Cluj on Wednesday 28 June in their third group-stage match.

U21 EURO 2025 qualifying draw
Group A: ITALY, Republic of Ireland, Norway, Turkey, Latvia, San Marino
Group B: Spain, Belgium, Scotland, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Malta
Group C: Netherlands, Sweden, Georgia, North Macedonia, Moldova, Gibraltar
Group D: Germany, Poland, Israel, Bulgaria, Kosovo, Estonia
Group E: Romania, Switzerland, Finland, Albania, Montenegro, Armenia
Group F: England, Ukraine, Serbia, Northern Ireland, Azerbaijan, Luxembourg
Group G: Portugal, Croatia, Greece, Belarus, Faroe Islands, Andorra
Group H: France, Austria, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus
Group I: Denmark, Czech Republic, Iceland, Wales, Lithuania

Dates
Group stage matchdays
20–28 March 2023
12–20 June 2023
4–12 September 2023
9–17 October 2023
13–21 November 2023
18–26 March 2024
2–10 September 2024
7–15 October 2024
Playoffs
11–19 November 2024