Italy are in the World Cup play-offs, but the final group game against Albania – and results elsewhere – will help define the draw.
As Bosnia lost 4-3 to Belgium last night, the Azzurri are guaranteed to be one of the top eight runners-up and therefore into the play-offs for next month.
The way things currently stand, Italy are the top seeds along with Portugal, Wales and Denmark, while Croatia, Northern Ireland, Sweden and Greece would be second seeds.
Italy are in the World Cup play-offs, but the final group game against Albania – and results elsewhere – will help define the draw.
As Bosnia lost 4-3 to Belgium last night, the Azzurri are guaranteed to be one of the top eight runners-up and therefore into the play-offs for next month.
The way things currently stand, Italy are the top seeds along with Portugal, Wales and Denmark, while Croatia, Northern Ireland, Sweden and Greece would be second seeds.
A victory in Albania tomorrow night would guarantee Giampiero Ventura’s side remain among the top seeds, but a draw and Swedish win over Holland would put that at serious risk.
There are other issues to contend with, too, as France are only one point clear of Sweden going into the final group game against Belarus.
If Portugal beat Switzerland in Lisbon, then Cristiano Ronaldo’s men will win the group and send the Swiss into the play-offs instead, boosting Italy’s seed status.
Group I is extremely tight, with Iceland on 19 points, then Ukraine and Croatia going head-to-head on 17 each.
If Ukraine win that showdown, then they’ll go into the play-offs instead of Croatia.
Italy also hope Scotland get the play-off spot from Group F – behind already-qualified England – rather than Slovakia, as the Scots have a worse FIFA ranking.
Going into the final round of group games, the following teams could in theory overtake Italy in the ranking: Denmark, Croatia, Northern Ireland and Sweden.