How to Watch Italy vs Northern Ireland: Kick-off Time, TV Channels and Live Stream Guide – 2026 World Cup UEFA Playoffs
Italy vs Northern Ireland is tonight. One team goes to the World Cup. The other goes home.
Italy have not been to a World Cup since 2014. Northern Ireland have not been since 1986. This single-leg playoff semi-final at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo decides everything.
This guide covers every kick-off time, every TV channel and every free streaming option you need tonight.
Key Match Details at a Glance
| Competition | 2026 World Cup UEFA Playoff Semi-Final (Path A) |
| Date | Thursday March 26 2026 |
| Kick-off | 7:45 PM GMT / 3:45 PM ET / 19:45 UTC / 8:45 PM CET |
| Venue | New Balance Arena, Bergamo, Italy |
| Capacity | 23,439 |
| Format | Single-leg knockout |
| Winner Plays | Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina, March 31 |
| Italy FIFA Ranking | 13th |
| Northern Ireland FIFA Ranking | 69th |
What Time is Italy vs Northern Ireland? Global Kick-off Times
Italy vs Northern Ireland kicks off at 7:45 PM GMT on Thursday March 26 2026. Find your local kick-off time below.
| Region | Kick-off Time |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 7:45 PM GMT |
| Italy | 8:45 PM CET |
| USA – New York (ET) | 3:45 PM ET |
| USA – Los Angeles (PT) | 12:45 PM PT |
| Canada (ET) | 3:45 PM ET |
| Republic of Ireland | 7:45 PM GMT |
| Australia (AEDT) | 6:45 AM March 27 |
| UAE (GST) | 11:45 PM |
| South Africa (SAST) | 9:45 PM |
| Germany (CET) | 8:45 PM |
| France (CET) | 8:45 PM |
| Netherlands (CET) | 8:45 PM |
Also Check: 2026 FIFA World Cup Playoffs Schedule
Italy vs Northern Ireland TV Channels
| Region | TV Channel |
|---|---|
| UK | BBC Three / BBC One NI |
| Italy | RAI 1 / Rai Sport |
| USA (English) | Fox Sports / FS1 |
| USA (Spanish) | ViX |
| Canada (English) | TLN (Telelatino) / TSN / CTV |
| Canada (French) | RDS |
| Ireland | BBC One NI |
| Global | UEFA.tv / FIFA+ |
UK fans get the best deal tonight. The match is free on BBC Three and BBC One NI. No subscription needed at all.
Italy broadcasts the match free on RAI 1 and Rai Sport.
US fans watch in English on Fox Sports or FS1. Spanish-language viewers can tune in on ViX. ViX is also available as a channel through Amazon Prime Video.
Canadian viewers get the match on TLN which is the exclusive Canadian broadcaster for Italy’s World Cup Qualifiers. TSN and CTV also carry the match. French-language viewers watch on RDS.
Fans in regions without a local broadcaster can check UEFA.tv or the FIFA+ app for coverage in their market.
How to Watch Italy vs Northern Ireland Live Online
| Region | Live Stream |
|---|---|
| UK | BBC iPlayer / BBC Sport website (free) |
| Italy | RaiPlay (free) |
| USA (English) | Fubo (PPV) / Fox Sports app / FOX One app |
| USA (Spanish) | ViX Premium app / Peacock Premium |
| Canada | TSN+ / CTV app / TLN app |
| Australia | SBS On Demand (free) |
| Global | UEFA.tv / FIFA+ app |
UK fans stream free on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website. A free BBC account is needed but no payment or subscription is required.
Italian fans stream free on RaiPlay with a free account.
US fans stream in English on the Fox Sports app or FOX One app with a cable login. Fubo also carries the match as a pay-per-view event. Fubo holds exclusive US streaming rights through a sublicence agreement with Fox Sports for select UEFA qualifying matches.
For Spanish-language streaming ViX Premium and Peacock Premium both carry the match. Note for Fubo subscribers: Fubo lost all NBCUniversal channels including Telemundo in November 2025 due to a carriage dispute. Spanish-speaking Fubo subscribers need to use Peacock separately for the Spanish feed.
Australian fans stream free on SBS On Demand. No subscription needed.
Can I Watch Italy vs Northern Ireland for Free?
Yes. It depends on where you are.
UK: Free on BBC Three and BBC One NI on TV. Free to stream on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website. A free BBC account is needed but no payment is required.
Italy: Free on RAI 1 and Rai Sport on TV. Free to stream on RaiPlay with a free account.
Australia: Free on SBS and SBS Viceland on TV. Free to stream on SBS On Demand with no subscription needed.
USA: No free live option exists for US viewers tonight. English viewers need a Fubo pay-per-view purchase, a cable subscription for Fox Sports or a direct FOX One subscription. Spanish viewers need ViX Premium or Peacock Premium.
Canada: TLN carries the match live. Coverage starts at 3:30 PM ET with kick-off at 3:45 PM ET. Viewers with TLN in their cable package watch at no extra cost. TSN and CTV also carry the match for subscribers.
Other regions: Check UEFA.tv and the FIFA+ app. Free or low-cost access may be available in your country.
Who will Win Italy vs Northern Ireland Tonight?
Italy are the clear favourites. They sit 56 places above Northern Ireland in the FIFA rankings and won all seven of their previous meetings against Northern Ireland.
Gattuso starts with Donnarumma in goal, Barella and Locatelli in midfield and Retegui and Kean up front. Italy have the quality to control this match from start to finish.
Northern Ireland have a clear plan. They defend deep, stay compact and wait for one moment on the break. That is exactly what North Macedonia did to knock Italy out in Palermo in 2022. O’Neill told the media that Italy are “the team with everything to lose.” A third consecutive World Cup absence for Italy would be a historic failure.
Conor Bradley misses out through a knee injury. Shea Charles returns from injury to shield the defence and Callum Marshall leads the attack as Northern Ireland’s most dangerous forward.
Our Prediction: Italy 2-0 Northern Ireland.
A tight first half with few chances. Italy break through around the hour mark and seal it late. Italy advance to the Path A Final on March 31.
How to Watch Italy vs Northern Ireland FAQs
What channel is Italy vs Northern Ireland on in Ireland?
Fans in the Republic of Ireland can watch on BBC One NI which is available on standard Irish cable and satellite packages.
Is Italy vs Northern Ireland on BBC One or BBC Two?
The match is on BBC Three and BBC One NI. It is not on BBC One or BBC Two in England, Scotland or Wales. BBC iPlayer carries the full broadcast for all UK viewers.
What language can I watch Italy vs Northern Ireland in?
English commentary is available on BBC Three and BBC One NI. Italian language coverage broadcasts on RAI 1. Spanish language coverage is available for US viewers on ViX.
Will Italy vs Northern Ireland be available on catch-up after the match?
Yes. UK viewers can watch the full match replay on BBC iPlayer after full time. Italian fans can access the replay on RaiPlay. Both services keep match replays available for a limited period after broadcast.
Is there a radio commentary for Italy vs Northern Ireland?
Yes. BBC Radio 5 Live carries live audio commentary of the match tonight. It is free to listen to online via the BBC Sounds app and website from anywhere in the world.
What happens if the match is a draw after 90 minutes?
This is a single-leg knockout tie. A draw after 90 minutes goes to extra time. If the score is still level after extra time the match goes to a penalty shootout. There is no away goals rule.
Which group will Italy or Northern Ireland be in at the 2026 World Cup?
The Path A winner joins Group B at the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside co-hosts Canada, Qatar and Switzerland.
Italy vs Northern Ireland kicks off at 7:45 PM GMT / 3:45 PM ET tonight. UK fans watch free on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer. Italian fans watch free on RAI 1 and RaiPlay. Australian fans watch free on SBS and SBS On Demand. US fans tune in on Fox Sports or Fubo in English or ViX and Peacock in Spanish. Canadian fans watch on TLN, TSN or CTV. This is a must-watch match tonight. Do not miss it.
