Two unmissable events, just over a month apart, will put Taranto at the heart of Italian women’s football. Following the resounding success of the Mediterranean Games, the ‘Stadio Erasmo Iacovone’ will host both a decisive World Cup qualifying fixture and the Women’s Super Cup. The action begins on Saturday 5 December at 21:15 CET (live on Rai 2), when Italy take on Finland in the second leg of the second and decisive round of the play-offs. Then, on Sunday 10 January at 15:00 CET (live on Rai 2 and Sky Sport), Roma and Juventus will meet in a familiar showdown, with the two sides set to contest the trophy for the tenth time.

“We are delighted to bring the women’s national team and a major fixture like the Super Cup to Taranto,” said FIGC commissioner Giovanni Malagò. “Taranto is a city driven by a passion for sport and is investing decisively in its future. Choosing the Stadio ‘Iacovone’ recognises the positive progress already made ahead of the Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games. I would like to thank the New Mediterranean Games Committee, led by Massimo Ferrarese, for the outstanding work carried out to renovate the stadium. Special thanks also go to the Municipality of Taranto and Mayor Piero Bitetti for their tangible commitment to ensuring the highest standards for both the stadium and the pitch, as well as to the club for its warm welcome.”

Following recent renovation work, the ‘Iacovone’ has returned to a capacity of more than 20,000 and is ready to fill up once again. Less than two months ago, the stadium was sold out for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Mediterranean Games, with a further capacity crowd attending the Under-18 national team’s opening match in the competition. Taranto’s fans are now preparing to turn out in force once again, filling the stands to cheer the Azzurre towards the World Cup and witness another chapter in the compelling rivalry between the Giallorosse and the Bianconere.

“Taranto is one of those cities that lives and breathes football, and we are delighted to kick off 2027 at the ‘Stadio Iacovone’ with the Super Cup,” said Serie A Women president Federica Cappelletti. “It will be exciting to experience two such important events in such quick succession, with the hope, of course, that on 10 January we will also be celebrating our national team’s qualification for the World Cup. I would like to thank the Municipality of Taranto, Taranto Calcio, and the Mediterranean Games commissioner’s office for what promises to be a fruitful collaboration. Having witnessed the spectacle on the pitch and in the stands in recent weeks, at a stadium that has undergone extensive renovation work, I hope we can enjoy the same atmosphere again for Italy vs. Finland and Roma vs. Juventus.”

ITALY vs. FINLAND

Four days after the first leg in Helsinki, which kicks off at 18:30 local time (17:30 Italian time), the women’s national team will make their debut at the Stadio ‘Iacovone’. On 31 August, the venue hosted the Under-19 team as they won silver at the Mediterranean Games. This time, a place on the plane to Brazil will be at stake. The prize is qualification for the tenth edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Fresh from their two-legged tie against Belarus, Italy will be hoping to produce another magical night and secure a place at the finals for the second consecutive time. “We will need the support of the people of Taranto to achieve our great objective together,” said head coach Andrea Soncin, who is looking forward to leading the team into the two decisive matches for World Cup qualification.

Taranto will once again turn Azzurro, as it did over the summer and on previous occasions. In 1989, the Apulian city hosted a friendly between the men’s national team and Hungary, which Italy won 4-1 thanks to goals from Vialli, Ferri, Berti, and Carnevale. Ten years later, the Under-21 team enjoyed a similarly memorable success in Taranto, beating France 2-1 to secure their place at the European Under-21 Championship finals. After Henry had put France ahead, Comandini and Pirlo completed Italy’s comeback. The team, coached at the time by Marco Tardelli, went on to win the tournament.

ROMA vs. JUVENTUS

Roma and Juventus will headline the first major football event of 2027. The two sides have met in three of the last four editions of the Women’s Super Cup and faced each other as recently as 19 September in Viareggio, in the final of the Serie A Women’s Cup, which Juventus won on penalties. That was the fifth consecutive final between the clubs, following their meetings in the 2025 Coppa Italia and Serie A Women’s Cup finals, and the 2026 Women’s Super Cup and Coppa Italia finals.

TICKETS AND MEDIA ACCREDITATION

Information on ticket sales for both fixtures, along with details of the media accreditation process, will be announced in the coming days on the official website, figc.it.