Italy was stopped by Sweden from getting to the 2018 World Cup. It was North Macedonia in 2022. Now, it's Northern Ireland's turn.

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.

By Emilio Parodi MILAN (Reuters) -Italian prosecutors have placed luxury group Tod's and three of its executives under investigation for suspected labour abuses and are seeking a temporary blanket ban on company advertising,

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.

Germany have moved into ninth place ahead in the latest FIFA men's rankings ahead of the 2026 World Cup draw, likely sealing a place in Pot 1 for the draw.

Italy is getting ready to end a long-standing routine in its egg industry: the killing of newborn male chicks. For decades, hatcheries have sorted chicks within hours of hatching, and millions of males have been discarded each year because they cannot lay eggs or grow efficiently for meat.

Italy is pushing to ban “Italian-sounding” foods abroad amid a scandal over the appearance of a Belgian-made carbonara sauce found on the shelves of a store in the European Parliament.