Italy vs Norway Prediction and Betting Tips for the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, scheduled for Sunday, November 16, 2025, at 19:45 GMT. The clash unfolds at the legendary San Siro in Milan and will be broadcast live on Amazon Prime and Virgin TV. It’s a high-stakes showdown where the Azzurri are fighting for pride, while Norway need just a single point to seal a long-awaited ticket to North America. For more insights and forecasts, check out our latest World Cup Predictions from XpertStats experts.

• Norway need only a draw to confirm their first World Cup appearance since 1998.
• Italy must win by nine goals to qualify directly: a nearly impossible task.
• Erling Haaland and Sorloth have combined for 26 goals in qualifying.
• Gattuso’s Italy chasing morale boost after narrow win over Moldova.

Italy’s path to automatic qualification is hanging by a thread. After a rocky start in Oslo, where they were outplayed 3-0, the Azzurri have since rediscovered some rhythm under Gennaro Gattuso. They’ve bagged six wins on the bounce, but even that might not be enough. Thursday’s 2-0 win in Moldova looked routine on paper, yet it took until the final minutes for Mancini and young Francesco Pio Esposito to find the net. Can Gattuso’s men pull off a miracle in front of their home fans? It’s hard to say, but if history tells us anything, Italy rarely goes down without a fight.

Still, Gattuso has a few headaches before kick-off. Sandro Tonali won’t risk suspension, leaving a gap in midfield that Barella is expected to fill. Kean and Cambiaghi remain sidelined, and Gianluca Scamacca’s form continues to frustrate. That might open the door for Mateo Retegui, who’s been quietly consistent with five goals and four assists in the qualifiers. With Donnarumma returning between the posts, Italy will aim to steady the ship and hope that their attacking trio finally clicks when it matters most.

On the other side, Norway arrive in Milan full of belief and momentum. Ståle Solbakken’s team have been relentless, leading the UEFA qualifiers with 33 goals scored. Erling Haaland, predictably, has been the difference-maker: 14 goals and counting, just two short of Lewandowski’s all-time qualifying record. Alongside Sorloth, he’s formed a devastating partnership that’s torn through defenses across Europe. Their 4-1 win over Estonia on Thursday was just another reminder of their attacking power. Even without Martin Ødegaard, who’s out injured, this team looks well-drilled and confident.

For Norway, Sunday isn’t just another game, it’s history knocking. Twenty-seven years have passed since they last played on football’s biggest stage, and they’re within touching distance now. Italy, meanwhile, are desperate to avoid another playoff heartbreak. Even so, the odds and the form book both point in one direction. The visitors have everything to gain and little to fear. That said, football can be strange, especially under the lights at San Siro. Still, it feels like the moment belongs to the Norwegians. For those tracking the latest World Cup Predictions, this one might just be the pick of the weekend.