North Macedonia will be the first obstacle that Roberto Mancini’s National Team will need to overcome in the World Cup play-offs. Should they win that match on 24 March 2022, they’ll face either Portugal or Turkey in the final. This is the outcome of the draw that took place in Zurich this afternoon and which involved the ten runners-up from the group stage of European qualifying and the two best-ranked teams from the last edition of the Nations League who didn't qualify (Austria and Czech Republic). These sides were divided into three groups containing four teams each.

The draw also determined that Italy will play the Path C final away from home should they make it through. As a seeded side, they’ll take on North Macedonia on home turf in the semis.

“It’s not a great draw and it could have gone better,” said Roberto Mancini. “Ourselves and Portugal need to beat North Macedonia and Turkey: they’ll be straight knockout ties, which always provide difficulties. Just like we wanted to avoid Portugal, they would have wanted to avoid Italy. Will we make it to the World Cup? We’re always confident and positive, the most important thing will be to have all the players available.”

The Azzurri have faced North Macedonia on two occasions, with Italy winning 3-2 in Skopje in October 2016 prior to a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino in October 2017. Mancini continued: “North Macedonia did really well in qualifying. We’ll need to produce a big performance, and then we’ll see where we’ll be heading to play the final.”

Play-off paths

Path A

Scotland vs. Ukraine

Wales vs. Austria

*the winner will play at home in the final

Path B
*Russia vs. Poland

Sweden vs. Czech Republic

*the winner will play at home in the final

Path C

ITALY vs. North Macedonia
*Portugal vs. Turkey

*the winner will play at home in the final