Sweden will be Italy's opponent for access to the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The ballot box decreed: the first leg will be played in Sweden, with the return to Italy. Coach Ventura thus avoided the opponent considered more dangerous, Ireland (which instead picked Denmark), even if the "greens" are only third in the Fifa ranking among the four teams that Italy could have met: the "best" on paper was Northern Ireland, which participated in the last European Championships and which will face Petkovic's Switzerland, followed precisely by Sweden. The other challenge is Croatia-Greece, with the Slavs obviously favourites.
The Scandinavians have not participated in the World Cup since Germany 2006, an edition that saw Italy triumph, even if the blue expeditions were unsuccessful both in 2010 and in 2014. Only in 1958 did Italy not qualify for the World Cup, and to eliminate us it was Northern Ireland, which we avoided this time. The first leg matches will be played between 9 and 11 November 2017, the return matches between 12 and 14. The draw for the world group stage is scheduled for 1 December in Moscow: if Italy qualifies, will be in the second urn. He will therefore find at least one big player but will avoid Spain, which is also in the second tier.
