Italy and Türkiye have secured their spots in the UEFA play-offs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, keeping their dreams of qualification alive after intense group-stage battles. While both nations missed out on automatic qualification, their resilience and recent form suggest they are far from done yet.

Italy, the four-time world champions, confirmed their play-off berth with a commanding 3-0 win over Israel in Udine. Mateo Retegui continued his fine scoring run with a brace, while Gianluca Mancini sealed the victory late on. The Azzurri's result guarantees them a second-place finish in Group I, ensuring a playoff lifeline. After the heartbreak of missing out on Qatar 2022, Luciano Spalletti's men now face another high-stakes path -- one they'll be desperate to conquer to avoid consecutive absences from football's grandest stage.

Meanwhile, Türkiye also booked their play-off ticket following a solid campaign that saw them maintain consistency under Vincenzo Montella. Despite some ups and downs, Türkiye's mix of young talents like Arda Güler and Kenan Yıldız alongside experienced names such as Hakan Çalhanoğlu has kept them competitive in every fixture.

With both sides now set for the UEFA play-offs in March 2026, the stakes couldn't be higher. The format, one-legged semifinals and finals, leaves no room for error.