How can I watch Northern Ireland vs Italy? All you need to know ahead of the World Cup play-off semi-final

Michael O’Neill’s side, who booked a spot at this stage by winning their Nations League group in 2024, have been handed the toughest draw possible with a trip to Bergamo awaiting.

Northern Ireland haven’t qualified for a World Cup since 1986 while their last appearance at a major tournament was the 2016 Euros.

A young, talented Northern Ireland side have been showing plenty of positive signs under O’Neill, but this is their biggest – and most important – test yet against a star-studded Italian squad.

From how to watch the match to squad news and everything in between, here’s all the details you need to know ahead of kick-off.

HOW CAN I WATCH?

The match is being broadcast live by BBC with the programme starting at 7pm on BBC One before kick-off at 7:45pm.

It is also available via the iPlayer with Stephen Watson hosting while Stuart Dallas, Gerry Armstrong, Stephen Craigan and Gianfranco Zola are listed as pundits for the coverage.

WHAT ARE THE ODDS?

As expected against a team sitting 57 places higher in FIFA’s world rankings, Northern Ireland are priced as considerable underdogs.

Italy are 3/10 favourites while Northern Ireland are 14/1 outsiders and a draw after 90 minutes is 19/4.

WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN THEIR PREVIOUS MEETINGS?

Northern Ireland and Italy were in the same 2022 World Cup qualifying group with the Italians winning 2-0 in Parma thanks to first half goals from Domenico Berardi and Ciro Immobile in March 2021 – no spectators were present.

Led by Ian Baraclough, Northern Ireland battled to a goalless draw at Windsor Park eight months later to finish third in the group behind winners Switzerland and Italy, who suffered a play-off defeat to North Macedonia.

The duo were also paired together in qualifying ahead of Euro 2012 – Northern Ireland collected a point in Belfast before losing out 3-0 away from home.

In 11 previous meetings against Italy, Northern Ireland have picked up one win – a 2-1 victory on their way to qualifying for the 1958 World Cup, perhaps a good omen?

ANY SQUAD NEWS?

Northern Ireland have been rocked by a significant double blow with Conor Bradley’s serious knee injury earlier this year now followed by confirmation that Dan Ballard will miss out.

For Italy, Alessandro Bastoni and Sandro Tonali appear to have recovered from injuries issues in time to take their place in Gennaro Gattuso’s squad while striker Gianluca Scamacca has been ruled out.

WHAT HAVE THEY SAID?

Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill: "We can't really use (the pressure), they have to deal with it. That's the reality of the situation

"If you look at this group, they had a change of manager after two games, Gennaro Gattuso has been in for six games.

"They lost their last game 4-1 in the San Siro against Norway, a game where they played well in the first half and led 1-0, but would have been disappointed with how the game finished.

"That's all for them to deal with, we can talk about it but it doesn't really mean anything.

"If you look at this game, we're the team with everything to gain, they're the team with everything to lose.

"They have a lot of expectation as a football nation and they'll have to deal with that, but that's for them, we can't really use it.

"We've just got to make the game as difficult for the opposition as possible...then those types of things will become factors in the game.”

Italy manager Gennaro Gattuso: “They run a lot, they’re able to play vertically and caused problems from set-pieces.

“We’ll need to be aware and sense the danger. Since I’ve coached the players, I’ve noticed that, at times, we’ve not been able to sense it.

“I hope, with all my heart, that we achieve this objective, the group deserves it.

"There’s no need to stress the players out, they know what we’re playing for...obviously, there’s going to be a bit of tension, but we must do our best to spread lots of positivity.”