⚠️ Top Champions League draw, guide to Italy’s playoff threats ?

The potential home final would have been the cherry on top, but Italy can still be satisfied with the World Cup playoff draw that took place a few hours ago.

Having avoided the dangers of Sweden (and Poland), the Azzurri will face Northern Ireland in the semifinals in a match that will most likely be played in Bergamo.

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And then? Once this hurdle is overcome - hopefully -, the final act will take place in Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina, the two protagonists of the other semifinal of Path A.

Few stars on the field, but the challenges that could arise from the two matches should not be underestimated: here is a complete guide to the opponents to beat to reach the 2026 World Cup.

⚠️ THE CHALLENGES OF NORTHERN IRELAND

Three wins in six games and a third place in group A behind Germany and Slovakia: this is the record of Northern Ireland, which reached the playoffs with a young team that hides some challenges.

Coach O’Neill can indeed rely on a group with several players who are well-acquainted with the pace of English football.

The most well-known name is Conor Bradley, a Liverpool full-back and already a key player for the team. But also keep an eye on Jamie Donley, a 2005-born attacking midfielder from Tottenham, currently on loan at Stoke City.

NORTHERN IRELAND'S LATEST LINEUP

TYPICAL FORMATION (3-4-2-1): Peacock-Farrell; Hume, Ballard, McNair; Bradley, Lyos, Saville, Devenny; Galbraith, Price; Donley. Coach O'Neill.

? BOSNIA OR WALES IN THE POTENTIAL FINAL? HOW THEY PLAY

A more than positive path for Bosnia in group H of the World Cup qualification: Sergej Barbarez's team finished second, behind Austria with Arnautovic, amassing 17 points in 8 matches. The magic of Miralem Pjanić's free kicks is now a thing of the past, but the influence of the old guard remains central to the team.

Edin Džeko continues to be the captain and the guiding light of the National team, a technical and charismatic leader. Alongside him, however, a new generation is emerging ready to make its mark: among the brightest talents is Muharemovic, who with Sassuolo has already attracted the attention of major Italian clubs and is confirming all his potential in the National team.

In the most recent starting lineup, there is also another familiar face to Italian fans: Tahirovic, a former Roma prospect sold to Ajax in 2023 and now owned by Brondby.

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA'S LATEST LINEUP

TYPICAL FORMATION (4-4-2): Vasilj; Dedic, Muharemovic, Katic, Malic; Memic, Sunjic, Tahirovic, Gigovic; Dzeko, Demirovic. Coach Barbarez.

Wales finished group J with only two defeats, both against the leading Belgium. Bale is a memory, but the overwhelming 7-1 victory against North Macedonia - the same team that left us out of the World Cup in 2022 - shows that the country still holds great potential.

While the headline stars may be missing, the team can rely on the experience of several Premier League players. Among them are Brennan Johnson, a 2001-born right winger owned by Tottenham; Harry Wilson, a starting winger for Fulham; Neco Williams, an indispensable full-back for Nottingham Forest; and Ampadu, a midfielder/central defender (when needed) for Leeds who has played in Italy with Venezia and Spezia.

On the bench, however, sits Craig Bellamy, in his first experience as a head coach after serving as Kompany's assistant at both Anderlecht and Burnley.

WALES' LATEST LINEUP

TYPICAL FORMATION (4-1-4-1): Darlow; Williams, Rodon, Davies, Dasilva; Ampadu; D. James, Jones, J. James, Johnson; Wilson. Coach Bellamy.

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