With maximum points safely in the bank from their first two fixtures, Norway lead Group I by three, with only one nation going straight through to the 2026 World Cup.
After starting with a five-goal thrashing of Moldova, Stale Solbakken‘s side then beat Israel 4-2 in neutral Hungary, so they are in pole position to qualify directly from a five-team group.
Previously, a new ‘golden generation’ had achieved promotion to the UEFA Nations League’s top tier ahead of Austria and Slovenia, so confidence should be sky-high in the camp.
Italy now enter the fray after taking part in the Nations League quarter-finals, but Norway should at least clinch second place, which would earn them another shot at qualification via the playoffs.
The Nordic nation have not appeared at a World Cup since 1998 and last made a major tournament at Euro 2000, but with stars such as Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard leading the charge, they expect to end that drought this time around.
Ahead of a clash with their main rivals for top spot, the Norwegians know that another victory in Oslo would put them firmly on track. However, their head-to-head record with Italy does not stack up well.
Including the pair’s last meeting on the road to Euro 2016, they have played four qualifiers this century, resulting in three Italian wins and one draw.
