Match Preview for Italy v Israel

Italy return to Udine on Tuesday night knowing that just one point will be enough to secure their place in the World Cup 2026 play-offs.

The Azzurri meet Israel only a month after the two sides produced a remarkable nine-goal thriller that ended 5-4 in favour of Gennaro Gattuso’s team.

Italy entered September’s international window with ground to make up in Group I, trailing Norway by nine points but holding two games in hand.

They responded well, brushing aside Estonia in Bergamo before heading to Hungary, where they fought through a chaotic encounter against Israel.

Gattuso’s side looked to have thrown away a vital win after surrendering a 4-2 lead, but Sandro Tonali’s stoppage-time strike sealed a dramatic victory and kept their qualification hopes alive.

Since that wild night, Italy have stayed on course with another victory over Estonia on Saturday, despite a missed penalty from Mateo Retegui and a goalkeeping mistake from Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Having lost their opening qualifier to Norway, Italy have now won four straight in the group, scoring 13 goals in their last three matches.

Israel, meanwhile, sit three points behind Italy in third place, having played one game more and holding an inferior goal difference. Only a win will keep their faint play-off hopes alive.

Team news for Italy v Israel

Moise Kean’s early goal helped Italy past Estonia at the weekend, but the Fiorentina forward – who scored twice in the previous meeting with Israel – suffered an ankle injury and will miss this match.

Gattuso is also forced into a defensive change as Alessandro Bastoni is suspended, paving the way for Roma’s Gianluca Mancini to partner Riccardo Calafiori at centre-back.

Up front, Mateo Retegui should keep his place despite his missed spot kick in Tallinn, while Giacomo Raspadori is likely to start in support. With Gianluca Scamacca, Matteo Politano and Mattia Zaccagni all unavailable through injury, options in attack remain limited.

Israel will be without midfielder Dor Peretz, who scored twice against Italy last month. Dan Biton could drop to the bench after struggling in Norway, with Tai Baribo or Dor Turgeman in line to lead the attack.

Manor Solomon and Oscar Gloukh are expected to start in the wide roles, while Bayern Munich goalkeeper Daniel Peretz should retain his place despite conceding heavily in Oslo.

Expected line-ups for Italy v Israel

Italy: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Mancini, Calafiori, Dimarco; Cambiaso, Barella, Tonali, Spinazzola; Raspadori, Retegui

Israel: Da Peretz; Dasa, Baltaxa, Nachmias, Revivo; Abu Fani, E Peretz; Khalaily, Gloukh, Solomon; Baribo

How to watch Italy v Israel: TV channel, online stream

The match will take place at the Dacia Arena in Udine on Tuesday, October 14. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:45pm local time.

In the UK, the game will be available to watch live on Amazon Prime, while US viewers can tune in through Fox Soccer Plus or stream via FuboTV. In Italy, coverage will be shown on RAI.

The stats for Italy v Israel

• Italy have won four consecutive qualifiers after losing their first to Norway
• The Azzurri have scored 13 goals in their last three group matches
• Israel are winless in their last three games, conceding 14 goals in that run
• Italy have kept only one clean sheet in their last five qualifiers
• Israel have not qualified for the World Cup since 1970

Prediction

Italy have momentum, home advantage and greater squad depth, while Israel are coming off a heavy defeat in Norway and must win to stay alive.

Gattuso’s side should complete the job and book their playoff place, though it might not be straightforward.