The emphatic victory over Serbia in Pisa left a bittersweet feeling, but that has not diminished the determination of the Italy Women’s team, who face their final World Cup qualifying fixture on Tuesday in Gothenburg (19:00 CEST). There were plenty of highlights from the performance at the Arena Civica, including the presentation to Manuela Giugliano for reaching 100 international caps, as well as Elisa Bartoli’s return to the Azzurre setup. However, Denmark’s 2-1 win in their Scandinavian derby has effectively moved the direct route to Brazil out of Italy’s hands, bringing Andrea Soncin’s side closer to the year-end play-offs. To avoid them, Italy will need to claim their first-ever victory in Sweden and hope the group leaders are beaten away to Serbia at the same time.

Italy are therefore no longer in charge of their own fate, but the team will do everything possible to keep their dream alive, regardless of Tuesday’s outcome. That is the mindset within the squad, which returned immediately to training in Tirrenia to prepare for the trip to face Sweden, a country where the Azzurre have previously recorded two draws and eight defeats. Securing three points at the Gamla Ullevi Stadium would be crucial for the standings — while hoping for positive news from Serbia, where goal difference would be decisive if teams finish level on points — but also for morale and the FIFA Ranking, which will play a role in determining the play-off seedings.

PLAY-OFF FORMAT: In the first round of the play-offs (first leg on 7 October, second leg on 13 October), the teams finishing second and third in each League A group will face the group winners and the two best runners-up from League C in Path 1. Meanwhile, the fourth-placed teams from each League A group and the group winners from League B will face the second- and third-placed teams from League B in Path 2.

In the second round of the play-offs (26 November–5 December), the 16 winners from the first round will be drawn into eight ties. The seven highest-ranked winners will qualify directly for the World Cup finals, while the lowest-ranked winner will advance to the intercontinental play-offs, scheduled for February 2027.

SQUAD LIST

Goalkeepers: Rachele Baldi (Roma), Francesca Durante (Lazio), Laura Giuliani (AC Milan), Margot Shore (Marseille).

Defenders: Elisa Bartoli (Inter), Valentina Bergamaschi (Roma), Lisa Boattin (Houston Dash), Federica D’Aurica (Lazio), Lucia Di Guglielmo (Washington Spirit), Martina Lenzini (Juventus), Elena Linari (London City Lionesses), Elisabetta Oliviero (Lazio), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus), Angelica Soffia (AC Milan).

Midfielders: Melissa Bellucci (Napoli Women), Arianna Caruso (Bayern Munich), Giulia Dragoni (Roma), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Giada Greggi (Roma), Eva Schatzer (Juventus), Emma Severini (Fiorentina).

Forwards: Barbara Bonansea (Juventus), Michela Cambiaghi (Juventus), Sofia Cantore (Washington Spirit), Cristiana Girelli (Bay FC), Benedetta Glionna (Inter), Margherita Monnecchi (Lazio), Martina Piemonte (Lazio), Noemi Visentin (Lazio).

THE AZZURRE’S SCHEDULE

Sunday 7 June

10:30 CEST – Training session

17:00 CEST – Flight departure for Gothenburg

Monday 8 June

Time TBC – Press conference (video call)

18:00 CEST – MD-1 training session at Gamla Ullevi Stadium

Tuesday 9 June

19:00 CEST – Sweden vs Italy

Following the match, the delegation will return to Italy and be dismissed.

LEAGUE A – GROUP 1 RESULTS & STANDINGS

Matchday 1

Denmark 3-1 Serbia

Italy 0-1 Sweden

Matchday 2

Serbia 0-0 Sweden

Italy 1-1 Denmark

Matchday 3

Serbia 0-6 Italy

Sweden 1-2 Denmark

Matchday 4

Denmark 0-0 Italy

Sweden 1-0 Serbia

Matchday 5

Denmark 2-1 Sweden

Italy 3-0 Serbia

Matchday 6 (9 June)

Serbia vs Denmark

Sweden vs Italy

Standings: Denmark 11 points, Italy 8, Sweden 7, Serbia 1.