Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri is open to moving Serie A fixtures before Italy’s World Cup play-off to help the national team, as he sees a ‘great chance’ to reach the 2026 World Cup.Italy

The draw for March’s play-offs was made on Thursday, pitting four-time World Cup winners Italy against Northern Ireland. If they come through that single-leg home semi-final, they will travel to face either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina for their bracket’s final a few days later.

Italy will first host Northern Ireland in a World Cup qualifying playoff in March but would then need to win on the road to reach its first tournament after back-to-back failures at this stage.

Northern Ireland have recorded just one victory over Italy in the 11 previous meetings between the two nations. Michael O'Neill's side face a trip to Italy in March for the semi-finals of the European play-offs for a place in the 2026 World Cup.

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The inter-confederation draw has plotted Jamaica against New Caledonia and Bolivia against Suriname — with DR Congo and Iraq waiting in the two finals. Northern Ireland and Wales have been drawn in the same path as Italy, while Republic of Ireland will face Czech Republic before a potential home final against Denmark.

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Adrienne Vaughan, 45, died after she was flung from the motorboat in the holiday hotspot in southern Italy in August 2023.