Italy Women Aim to Break Swedish Curse in Final World Cup Qualifier

Italy Women face a high-stakes finale against Sweden in Gothenburg to secure a direct spot in the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. To avoid the play-offs, the Azzurre must win their match at the Gamla Ullevi Stadium while hoping Denmark loses to Serbia.

How can Italy Women qualify directly for the World Cup?

The math for direct qualification is narrow. Italy currently sits on 8 points in Group 1, trailing Denmark, who have 11. For the Azzurre to leapfrog them and claim the top spot, two specific results must happen simultaneously on Tuesday: Italy must defeat Sweden in Gothenburg, and Denmark must lose their away match against Serbia.

Any other outcome—including an Italy draw or a Denmark win/draw—will push the Azzurre into the end-of-year play-offs. It’s a high-pressure scenario for head coach Andrea Soncin, whose team is fighting to avoid a long, perilous route to the tournament.

Did you know? The Gamla Ullevi Stadium in Gothenburg has a capacity of over 18,000 spectators and will serve as the backdrop for this decisive encounter.

What is the “Swedish curse” facing Andrea Soncin’s squad?

Italy is chasing its first-ever victory on Swedish soil. Sweden has remained the only Scandinavian opponent that Andrea Soncin’s side has failed to beat during his tenure. The last time the Azzurre tasted victory against the Swedes was way back in 2018 during a friendly match played in Cremona.

This psychological hurdle comes at a time when Italy is seeking consistency. Since the European Championship, the team has struggled against elite opposition. While they dominated Serbia with two convincing wins (6-0 and 3-0), they failed to secure victories in preparations against higher-ranked giants like the United States, Brazil, and Japan.

Recent Group 1 Form at a Glance

Italy: Strong against Serbia (two wins), but struggled to break Denmark (two draws).
Denmark: The current group leader with 11 points, including a 3-1 win over Serbia and a 2-1 win over Sweden.
Sweden: Currently on 7 points, having beaten Italy 1-0 in their previous encounter.

What happens if Italy falls into the play-offs?

If the Azzurre don’t secure the top spot, their journey continues through a complex play-off system. The draw for the European qualifying play-offs is scheduled for 18 June. This process will determine who the second and third-place finishers from League A groups will face.

The first round of play-offs takes place on 7 and 13 October, where League A teams will meet six group winners and the two best runners-up from League C. The second round follows on 26 November and 5 December. These final matches will decide the seven teams that qualify for the tenth FIFA Women’s World Cup.

One final twist remains: the nation with the lowest FIFA Ranking among the qualifiers will be forced into the inter-confederation play-offs in February 2027.

Pro Tip: When tracking World Cup qualifiers, always check the simultaneous results of other group matches. In this case, the Serbia vs. Denmark score is just as vital for Italy as their own performance in Gothenburg.

Who is in the Italy Women squad for the Gothenburg clash?

Coach Andrea Soncin has selected 29 players to travel to Sweden. The squad features a mix of experienced veterans and emerging talent across all lines.

The Squad Breakdown

Goalkeepers: Rachele Baldi (Roma), Francesca Durante (Lazio), Laura Giuliani (Milan), Margot Shore (Marseille).
Defenders: Including Elisa Bartoli (Inter), Lisa Boattin (Houston Dash), and Lucia Di Guglielmo (Washington Spirit).
Midfielders: Led by Arianna Caruso (Bayern Munich) and Manuela Giugliano (Roma).
Forwards: Featuring key attackers like Cristiana Girelli (Bay FC) and Barbara Bonansea (Juventus).

The team conducted their final preparations in Tirrenia before departing for Gothenburg, with a final stadium training session scheduled for Monday at 18:00 CEST.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current standing of Group 1?

Denmark leads with 11 points, followed by Italy with 8, Sweden with 7, and Serbia with 1 point.

When is the final match for Italy Women?

The match takes place on Tuesday in Gothenburg at 19:00 CEST.

How many teams qualify via the UEFA play-offs?

The play-offs will ultimately determine seven qualifying teams, with one of those potentially needing to enter inter-confederation play-offs based on FIFA Ranking.

Do you think Italy can break the curse in Gothenburg? Let us know your score predictions in the comments below or subscribe to our newsletter for the latest Women’s World Cup qualifying updates!