World Cup winner Gianluigi Buffon says play-off semi-final opponents Northern Ireland have been the “only focus” for Italy, and not the wider prize of a spot at the finals this summer.
Italy have not qualified for a World Cup since 2014 after play-off defeats by Sweden and Bosnia-Herzegovina, and they missed out on automatic qualification for the 2026 tournament after finishing second behind group winners Norway.
Gennaro Gattuso’s side could become the first World Cup winners to miss out on three tournaments in a row, but if they can progress against Northern Ireland and then beat either Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina, they will be rewarded with a spot in Group B with co-hosts Canada, Switzerland and Qatar.
Buffon, who is Italy’s technical delegate, said it was “an important moment” and the full focus had to be on Thursday’s semi-final in Bergamo.
“We shouldn’t have any doubt, our focus is only on Northern Ireland and the semi-final,” Buffon told BBC Sport.
“Then, if we’re happy, we’ll think about the final against Wales or Bosnia.
“But for the last four months, our only focus has been on Northern Ireland, because that’s the way it is.
“Northern Ireland are the first obstacle, and they are a team that deserves our respect.”
Buffon, who played a key role in appointing World Cup-winning team-mate Gattuso in June, said Italy’s situation was a “situation of stress that has accumulated over the years”.
But he felt the team spirit that Gattuso brought to the job gives Italy the “right confidence to finally get to a World Cup”.
The game will be played at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo, which has a capacity of 25,000, instead of the larger San Siro or Stadio Olimpico.
Italian journalist Daniele Verri had said he felt there was some superstition at play as Gattuso’s first game as manager was a 5-0 win over Estonia at the New Balance Arena, and Italy have not lost in any of their five matches in Bergamo across the span of 62 years.
Buffon said that the home of Atalanta was the “best seat” for the game, and the positivity around the venue made it the logical choice to play Italy’s biggest match in four years.
“When the coach played his first game we had a great win, and that evening we remember it was a great atmosphere and there was great support.
“The first half ended 0–0, but the people understood the effort that the team was giving and they supported us.
“This is something, a detail, that is in the minds of the staff and in the minds of the players, so it is very important.”
