We've got a stellar line-up for you in Bergamo for both our preview show and on matchday.

Let's take a look at who will be joining Stephen Watson on the shows.

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI in Bergamo

Image source, BBC Sport

The BBC Sport NI team landed in Bergamo yesterday ahead of a huge week of football as Northern Ireland look to stun Italy in their own back yard.

It's a beautiful city which is filled with history and is currently baked in sunshine, which certainly helps the 'feelgood' mood.

There were plenty of Northern Ireland supporters on the flight over, with many more expected to arrive into Milan and Bergamo as kick-off approaches.

There have been a few milling around the bars, including at the square where the game will be shown on the big screen for those who can't get tickets.

It feels like the calm before the storm.

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI in Bergamo

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

The Italian national team like to travel around the country for their international matches and have played in 11 different home stadiums since the start of 2021.

The biggest games usually take place at the San Siro in Milan or the Stadio Olimpico in Rome - both of which have a capacity of more than 70,000 - but not for the World Cup play-off semi-final with Northern Ireland.

So why have the Italians selected the New Balance Arena, with a capacity of just 24,900 and where they have only played once since 2022, for their biggest game in four years?

"Bergamo and Atalanta are a good example for European football. It's a nice venue and it's an important venue for Italian football," said Italian journalist Daniele Verri.

"It's not the San Siro or the Stadio Olimpico, but it can cook.

"It's a small stadium with a nice atmosphere. If the game gets tight then people will make their voices heard."

We're got an action-packed build-up for you ahead of tomorrow night's game with coverage across TV, radio and the website.

Here's all you need to know!

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, BBC Sport

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Excited yet?

It's just over 24 hours until the much anticipated World Cup play-off between Italy and Northern Ireland kicks off.

To get everyone even more in the mood we are bringing you a special preview show to look ahead to the big game and hear the thoughts of some of our BBC Sport NI pundits to get their take on where the match may be won and lost.

Northern Ireland are trying to reach the finals for the first time since 1986 and go one better than they managed in 2017 when they fell at the final qualification hurdle to Switzerland.

For their part, Italy have been unable to progress to the past two World Cups through the play-offs so they will be keen to make up for lost time and book a play-off final place against Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina next Tuesday.

The show will be broadcast live from Italy at 19:00 GMT on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app, with Stephen Watson being joined by former Northern Ireland players Stephen Craigan and Stuart Dallas, plus Italian legend Gianfranco Zola.

Be sure to stay with us, and enjoy!