FIFA draws the 12 European qualifying groups on Friday for the 2026 World Cup in North America. It will set Italy on the path toward reaching its first World Cup since 2014. Then, in the last World Cup game Italy played, defender Giorgio Chiellini was bitten by Luis Suárez.
Uruguay ’s Luis Suarez holds his teeth after biting Italy ’s Giorgio Chiellini ’s shoulder during the group D World Cup soccer match between Italy and Uruguay at the Arena das Dunas in Natal, Brazil, June 24, 2014. The trophy is displayed on the pitch ahead of the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022.
It fit a pattern in Italy’s remarkably poor World Cup record since winning that fourth title in Berlin in 2006: two group-stage exits then two failures even to qualify., the team’s next game — a 3-1 win over France in Paris — was a standout performance in the Nations League this season.That Nations League program had a big effect on Friday’s draw, which will lack clarity with placeholder spots. Italy will not know exactly which group it is in until March.over two legs on March 20 and 23.
Clarity will come with the groups headed by the other top-seeded teams: England, Belgium, Switzerland and Austria.
FIFA World Cup Luciano Spalletti Italy Soccer Luis Suarez Uruguay North America Sports - Europe Eurocopa 2024 Gianluigi Buffon FIFA Sports Mario Balotelli Mexico Canada
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