Italy Faces Moldova in 2026 World Cup Qualifier

Italy faces Moldova in a 2026 FIFA World Cup European qualifying match on Thursday at Zimbru Stadium in Chisinau, with the Azzurri aiming to build momentum ahead of likely playoffs despite slim hopes of topping Group I.

The Group I encounter, scheduled for a 7:45 p.m. UK time kickoff, marks Italy's penultimate fixture in a campaign that has seen them secure second place with 15 points from six matches, including five wins. Moldova, coached by Lilian Popescu, languishes at the bottom with just one point from six games, a 1-1 draw against Estonia last month ending a run of five defeats. Italy, under Gennaro Gattuso, trail leaders Norway by three points and hold a goal difference of plus-10 compared to the Norwegians' plus-26, making an automatic qualification berth improbable without significant upsets elsewhere.

Gattuso, who took over from Luciano Spalletti following a 3-0 opening loss to Norway in June, emphasized focus on the immediate task during a pre-match news conference. "I am honest, my mind is on tomorrow's game and not beyond that," he said. "I want to see improvement, how the players train and work together." He praised the professionalism of his squad amid minor...