Norway have only won two of their last ten meetings with Italy, seeking back-to-back victories in this fixture for the very first time. On Italian soil, since a 2-1 victory in Lecce in 1985, the Lions have failed to win any of their last five clashes with the Azzurri, most-recently beaten 2-1 in Rome in 2015.
Italy vs Norway preview
When the fixture list was finalised in December last year, this match was surely supposed to be a final day shootout for qualification and, while it may look like that, it is merely a formality for both. Back in June, Norway demolished Italy 3-0 in Oslo, Alexander Sørloth, Antonio Nusa and Erling Braut Håland all on target during a rampant first half, and the fate of both was effectively settled there and then.
Overall, Norway have won all seven matches in Group I, scoring a ridiculous 33 goals and conceding only four. This includes an historic 11-1, no that's not a typo, demolition of Moldova in September, most recently smashing Estonia 4-1 at the Ullevål on Thursday; Sørloth and Håland both bagging braces. This all leaves the Lions three points clear of their hosts but with a goal difference that is 17 superior, thereby needing to avoid losing by nine clear goals in Milan to retain top spot.
Despite a pretty star-studded squad, Norway have not featured at the World Cup since 1998, their most recent appearance at any major tournament coming at Euro 2000. Thus, after failing to qualify for the most-recent Euros, manager Ståle Solbakken was under pressure but his team have really delivered, winning each of their last nine competitive fixtures, scoring 42 goals, meaning one is going in every 19 minutes. So, will they officially be able to celebrate a World Cup spot at San Siro?
As for Italy, since kicking off their qualification campaign with that drubbing in Oslo, they've actually won all six fixtures, very much in vain. On Thursday, the Azzurri required two goals in the final two minutes to snatch a 2-0 victory over Moldova in Chișinău; Gianluca Mancini and Francesco Pio Esposito the scorers. This means that Gennaro Gattuso is only the third Italian head coach to begin his tenure with five successive victories, after Edmondo Fabbr in 1962 and Azeglio Vicini in 1986.
Nevertheless, despite scoring 18 goals across Gattuso's five matches, Italy have not been able to catch Norway, so are set for March's play-offs. The four times world champions have not featured at the World Cup since 2014, dumped out in play-offs by Sweden and North Macedonia subsequently, so will be going into March's ties with massive trepidation; the play-off draw is on Thursday. Here, who will continue their winning streak at San Siro on, what will be, a night to remember for Norway?
Italy vs Norway head-to-head record
- Matches Played: 16.
- Italy Wins: 8. Draws: 4. Norway Wins: 4.
Italy team news
Nicolò Barella can return to midfield, having served a one-match suspension in Chișinău, but Moise Kean is injured, while Riccardo Calafiori of Arsenal is a doubt due to a hip injury which meant he did not travel in mid-week.
In goal, Guglielmo Vicario earned just a fifth cap on Thursday, but captain Gianluigi Donnarumma will be reinstated here. Lastly, in attack, Gianluca Scamacca led the line against Moldova, earning his first international cap since the most-recent Euros due to an ACL injury.
Italy predicted lineup vs Norway: (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Buongiorno, Bastoni, Dimarco; Tonali, Cristante, Barella; Raspadori, Orsolini, Retegui
Italy player to watch vs Norway
Despite now plying his trade for Al-Qadsiah in Saudi Arabia, Mateo Retegui remains a key figure for the Azzurri. Born in Argentina, when he was first called up by Roberto Mancini, the striker didn't even speak Italian! He scored on his debut against England, netting five times in five games under Gattuso, so will his scoring spree continue?
Norway team news
Captain Martin Ødegaard remains sidelined due to a medial collateral ligament injury to his left knee, albeit he has traveled with Ståle Solbakken's squad to San Siro to be part of the celebrations.
In what'll be an attacking lineup, Fulham's Sander Berge will start in midfield with Oscar Bobb and Antonio Nusa out-wide, while Alexander Sørloth will partner the main man in attack.
Norway predicted lineup vs Italy: (4-4-2): Nyland; Ryerson, Ajer, Heggem, Møller Wolfe; Berg, Berge, Bobb, Nusa; Sørloth, Håland.
Norway player to watch vs Italy
Erling Braut Håland has scored a frankly ridiculous 53 goals in 47 international caps, smashing Jørgen Juve's national team record of 33 that had stood since 1934. Håland has scored in all seven World Cup qualifiers to date, so can he complete the set in Milan?
Italy vs Norway prediction
This clash at San Siro guarantees goals. Italy's five fixtures under Gennaro Gattuso have produced 23 goals, while Norway have scored 42 times across their last nine competitive fixtures. So, who knows which way this one will go, but we all know who will be celebrating at the end: Italy 3-2 Norway.
Italy vs Norway FAQs - World Cup qualifier
How to watch Italy vs Norway in World Cup qualification on TV channel?
Italy vs Norway in World Cup qualification will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: Amazon Prime Video PPV - £2.49.
- USA: Fox Sports 1 & fuboTV
- Canada: DAZN Canada
How to watch Italy vs Norway in World Cup qualification on live streaming?
Italy vs Norway in World Cup qualification will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: Amazon Prime Video PPV - £2.49.
- USA: Foxsports.com & fuboTV
- Canada: DAZN Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Italy vs Norway in World Cup qualification?
Italy vs Norway takes place on Sunday 16 November 2025, with kick off at 19:45 (GMT), 14:45 (ET) & 11:45 (PT).