Four decades have passed since Northern Ireland appeared at a World Cup, which was their second tournament in succession. One of Italy and Northern Ireland will retain the aspiration of 2026 participation when the full-time whistle shrieks in Bergamo on Thursday night. Italy would surely have tried to rattle Northern Ireland with the atmosphere in Milan, Naples or Rome if they sensed they could. This is crucial for us.”Gattuso turned heads among visiting journalists by pointing towards the likely approach of Northern Ireland. “Italy play a lot of long diagonal passes as well,” the Northern Ireland manager, Michael O’Neill, says with a smile.

Source: Irish Examiner March 26, 2026 10:04 UTC