Observable data points shared across all narratives
On 25 March 2026, Gennaro Gattuso called Italy’s World Cup playoff against Northern Ireland the biggest match of his coaching career. The 2006 world champions are trying to avoid a third straight World Cup absence after a two‑decade slide in results. Broadcasters in Europe and Latin America have detailed dates, kick‑off times and TV options as global interest builds in whether Italy can qualify for 2026.