How to Watch the Thrilling Italy vs. Northern Ireland World Cup Qualifier Match: Your Ultimate Guide

With only six spots remaining in the 2026 World Cup, the match between Italy and Northern Ireland at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo is vital. The Azzurri are aiming to end a 12-year absence from soccer's biggest tournament, while Northern Ireland hopes for their first entry since 1986.

The winner of this match will play either Wales or Bosnia & Herzegovina on Tuesday to secure a berth in the World Cup, adding further tension and excitement to this encounter.

For fans in the United States, Paramount+ is the key platform to enjoy the Italy vs. Northern Ireland match. The streaming service offers a seven-day free trial, and plans normally start at $8.99 a month.

Additionally, Paramount+ is running a special promotion: through March 31, you can get any Paramount+ plan for just $2.99/month for your first two months, an excellent opportunity for soccer fans.

Another way to watch the match in the United States is through BBC iPlayer, using a VPN. This method allows you to connect to the UK platform and access the free stream offered to British fans.

Services like ExpressVPN and NordVPN are recommended, with prices starting at less than $4 a month, and both offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, providing flexibility and security for users.

The Italy vs. Northern Ireland match, part of the World Cup qualifiers, will take place on Thursday, March 26. The match is scheduled to start at 3:45 p.m. ET, ensuring that fans can follow the action live.

This timing is crucial for fans in the United States, who can tune in via Paramount+ or, alternatively, use a VPN to access the free BBC iPlayer stream.

Italy, currently ranked 13th in the FIFA rankings, is considered the favorite to advance in this crucial qualifying match. However, Northern Ireland, ranked 69th, will aim to cause an upset and secure their path to the World Cup.

In a previous 2022 World Cup qualifier, Italy won with a score of 2-0, which adds an element of anticipation and pre-match analysis to Thursday's game.