Italy have won all six previous meetings with Moldova, scoring 17 goals and conceding only two, most recently prevailing 2-0 in Reggio Emilia back in September.
Of all 48 nations the Azzurri have met five or more times, they only boast a 100% record against Malta, Estonia, Albania and Moldova.
Moldova vs Italy preview
Italy had featured at 14 successive World Cups, dating back to 1958, but could now miss out on a third edition in a row, which would have been unthinkable not so long ago. In this qualification campaign, the Azzurri have enjoyed five successive victories, scoring 18 goals, including beating Estonia 3-1 in Tallinn and then Israel 3-0 in Udine last month. This makes Gennaro Gattuso only the fourth Italy manager to win each of his first four matches in charge, after Edmondo Fabbri (1962), Azeglio Vicini (1986) and Antonio Conte (2014).
Nevertheless, this has not helped their cause very much, still three points adrift Group I leaders Norway, who beat them 3-0 in Oslo back in June. The two meet at San Siro on Sunday night in, what should be, a decisive match, but the Norwegian's goal difference is superior by 16 so, assuming they beat Estonia at the Ullevål simultaneously, there is little Italy can do to overtake them. Thus, the Azzurri appear destine for a place in March's play-offs, which has not gone well for them in the past, but Gattuso will still be hoping to continue their winning streak in Chișinău.
Moldova meantime are rock bottom of Group I with just a solitary point to their name. They suffered seven successive defeats earlier this year, including an historic 11-1, no that is not a typo, demolition in Norway in September, a result that saw manager Serghei Cleșcenco resign out of shame.
New manager Lilian Popescu picked up a point from his first competitive match in charge, holding Estonia to a 1-1 draw at A. Le Coq Arena, thanks to Ștefan Bodișteanu's second half equaliser. Nevertheless, Moldova have won only three of their last 54 qualifiers, beating only Faroe Islands, Poland and Andorra since October 2013, so Italy should be far too strong at Stadionul Zimbru.
Moldova vs Italy head-to-head record
- Matches Played: 6.
- Moldova Wins: Zero. Draws: Zero. Italy Wins: 6.
Moldova team news
Centre-back Vladyslav Baboglo is suspended, having picked up his second yellow card of the campaign in Tallinn.
Vadim Rață will captain the side while Ștefan Bodișteanu will be hoping to come in attack, having scored the equaliser against Estonia last time out.
Moldova predicted lineup vs Italy: (5-3-2): Cojuhar; Forov, Crăciun, Revenco, Gherasimencov, Reabciuk; Caimacov, Ioniță, Rață; Bodișteanu, Nicolaescu.
Moldova player to watch vs Italy
Ion Nicolaescu is Moldova's all-time leading scorer with 17, most recently on target against Estonia in March, so can he stun Italy here?
Italy team news
Gennaro Gattuso confirmed on Monday that Liverpool forward Federico Chiesa had declined a call up, while he is also without Destiny Udogie, Leonardo Spinazzola, Federico Gatti and Moise Kean, who has scored six goals for his country in 2025 already.
Elsewhere, Nicolò Barella is suspended, following his yellow card against Israel, while Premier League trio Gianluigi Donnarumma, Riccardo Calafiori and Sandro Tonali will all start.
Lastly, Gianluca Scamacca is hoping to feature for the Azzurri for the first time since the Euros in June 2024 following a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.
Italy predicted lineup vs Moldova: (3-5-2): Donnarumma; Buongiorno, Bastoni, Calafiori; Di Lorenzo, Tonali, Locatelli, Cristante, Dimarco; Raspadori, Retegui.
Italy player to watch vs Moldova
Despite now plying his trade for Al-Qadsiah in Saudi Arabia, Mateo Retegui has scored five goals in World Cup qualifying, taking his tally to 11 for Italy, so will his scoring spree continue?
Moldova vs Italy prediction
We simply cannot see beyond a routine Italian victory in Chișinău on Thursday night, likely to swat Moldova aside at Stadionul Zimbru, even if it matters very little: Moldova 0-3 Italy.
Moldova vs Italy FAQs - World Cup qualifier
How to watch Moldova vs Italy in World Cup qualification on TV channel?
Moldova vs Italy in World Cup qualification will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: Amazon Prime Video PPV - £2.49.
- USA: Fox Sports & fuboTV
- Canada: DAZN Canada
How to watch Moldova vs Italy in World Cup qualification on live streaming?
Moldova vs Italy 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 Moldova vs Italy in World Cup qualification?
Moldova vs Italy takes place on Thursday 13 November 2025, with kick off at 19:45 (GMT), 14:45 (ET) & 11:45 (PT).