Northern Ireland Men's Football Team

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Ethan Galbraith's first memories of the World Cup are of watching the 2010 finals in South Africa and the Northern Ireland midfielder says it's a bit of a "pinch me moment" to be just two wins away from playing at this year's tournament.

Michael O'Neill's side face Italy in a play-off semi-final in Bergamo on Thursday (19:45 GMT) and should they prevail, they will then move on to play either Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina for a place in this summer's finals in North America.

Galbraith, who was on the bench in 2021 when Northern Ireland held Italy to a goalless draw at home which sent the Azzurri into an ultimately unsuccessful play-off semi-final, is aware of the task ahead but is delighted to be in this position.

"I've thought about it a few times and they are going to be tough games, but to even be a part of those games is huge," the 24-year-old Swansea City man told BBC Sport NI.

"We can go out there, give it our all and hopefully it will be enough on the night.

"It's a bit of a pinch me moment. To be involved in this squad is unreal, but to be two games away from a World Cup is crazy."

While Northern Ireland will be missing some key figures including Conor Bradley and Dan Ballard, Italy also have concerns with midfielder Sandro Tonali missing Newcastle United's weekend defeat by Sunderland with a groin injury.

However, Galbraith insists Northern Ireland are preparing for the best version of Italy who he acknowledges will be "under a lot of pressure" to reach their first World Cup since 2014.

Although Northern Ireland finished third in their qualifying group, performances in the defeats by Germany brought positives and Galbraith feels they can act as good preparation for their Italian test.

"You have to prepare for their [Italy] best team and we did that with Germany," he offered.

"Germany are a top side and so is Italy with a number of superstars, so having those games against Germany in the group has put us in good stead for this game.

"If we can go out and give it 100%, we can be a match for anyone."

Watch Italy v Northern Ireland in the World Cup play-off on Thursday, 26 March from 19:00 GMT on BBC iPlayer, BBC One NI and BBC Three; listen on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster, and follow live text commentary with in-play clips on BBC Sport app and website.

On Wednesday, 25 March watch a special preview show with Italy and Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport app and website from 19:00 GMT.

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Northern Ireland midfielder Patrick Kelly says he is looking forward to the World Cup play-off against Italy on Thursday with "nerves and excitement".

The 21-year-old started his career with Coleraine before moving to the Premier League with West Ham in 2022.

Kelly, who now plays for League One side Barnsley, made his senior international debut in November as a late substitute in the World Cup qualifier victory over Luxembourg.

A win in Bergamo would see Northern Ireland travel to Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina for the play-off final on four days later.

"Obviously it's everything you dreamed of as a kid - I probably didn't think 12, 18 months ago I'd be in this position so I'm really grateful to be here," said Kelly.

"I've the chance to get to the World Cup, which would be everything to everyone involved and all the fans. So yeah, it's a big opportunity.

"Younger players are normally more fearless and they're just excited to be there and stuff. So I think that could help us now that we've got a young squad. It could be a positive there.

"I think it's only the start for a lot of the lads around my age. We've got a good age group coming through. Most of us played with each other from under 11s, under 12s when the club then I set up started really young.

"So we all know each other really well and I think we've got a good chance in the next 10, 15 years to try and get to as many tournaments as possible."

Image source, West Ham United

Northern Ireland teenager Joel Kerr has signed his first professional contract at West Ham United.

The 17-year-old forward joined the London outfit from Glentoran's academy in 2025, making 20 appearances and netting eight goals at u18 level.

Kerr has captained Northern Ireland at under-17 level, including during their Uefa European U17 Championship qualifying campaign in Coleraine.

"It's a really proud moment for me and my family," Kerr said after the announcement.

"It's obviously something I've wanted to do and have been working towards for a while now, so it's great to see that dream become a reality and sign professional.

"My last 12 months have been really good. Hopefully that's something I can keep building on to make sure the next 12 months are even better."

Kerr will now join up with the Northern Ireland u19s in Romania for their three Uefa European U19 Championship Elite Round qualifiers.

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI Journalist in Bergamo

Image source, BBC Sport

The BBC Sport NI team has landed in Bergamo 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 feel good mood.

There were plenty of Northern Ireland supporters on the flight over this morning, with many more expected to arrive into Milan and Bergamo across the next 24 hours.

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, and it feels like the calm before the storm.

Northern Ireland will have their final training session in Liverpool tomorrow morning before they fly over to Italy.

Michael O'Neill will then meet the press for his final thoughts ahead of the game tomorrow evening.

Not only will the game be live on BBC One NI, BBC Three and the BBC Sport app and website, but there's also a special preview programme tomorrow.

Italian football legend Gianfranco Zola will join Stuart Dallas, Stephen Craigan and Gerry Armstrong to look ahead to the game.

You can watch it on BBC iPlayer and the BBC website and app from 19:00 GMT.

As ever, keep an eye on the BBC Sport app and website for all the latest build-up ahead of the game.

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Liverpool forward Federico Chiesa has been ruled out of Italy's World Cup play-off semi-final with Northern Ireland on Thursday (19:45 GMT).

The 28-year-old was named in a first Italian squad for two years by manager Gennaro Gattuso but has been forced to withdraw.

Chiesa's last international appearance came in the Euro 2024 last-16 encounter against Switzerland, and Bolonga forward Nicolò Cambiaghi has been called up in his place.

Midfielder Sandro Tonali remains in the squad despite missing Newcastle United's derby defeat by Sunderland on Sunday.

The winner of the play-off semi-final will travel to face either Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina four days later for a spot in this summer's World Cup finals.

There's no place in the squad for Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, while Cagliari defender Marco Palestra gets a first senior call-up.

Roma midfielder Niccolo Pisilli and Atalanta defender Giorgio Scalvini are also back in the fold for the first time in two years.

The four-time winners are bidding to make a World Cup return after failing to qualify for the past two tournaments.

Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill named his squad on Monday, but Sunderland defender Dan Ballard is set to miss out through injury.

Italy squad:

Goalkeepers: Elia Caprile (Cagliari), Marco Carnesecchi (Atalanta), Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City), Alex Meret (Napoli).

Defenders: Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan), Alessandro Buongiorno (Napoli), Riccardo Calafiori (Arsenal), Andrea Cambiaso (Juventus), Diego Coppola (Paris FC), Federico Dimarco (Inter Milan), Federico Gatti (Juventus), Gianluca Mancini (Roma), Marco Palestra (Cagliari), Giorgio Scalvini (Atalanta), Leonardo Spinazzola (Napoli).

Midfielders: Nicolo Barella (Inter Milan), Bryan Cristante (Roma), Davide Frattesi (Inter Milan), Manuel Locatelli (Juventus), Niccolo Pisilli (Roma), Sandro Tonali (Newcastle).

Forwards: Nicolo Cambiaghi (Bolonga), Francesco Pio Esposito (Inter Milan), Moise Kean (Fiorentina), Matteo Politano (Napoli), Giacomo Raspadori (Atalanta), Mateo Retegui (Al-Qadsiah), Gianluca Scamacca (Atalanta).