Ethan Galbraith: Northern Ireland Two Wins From World Cup 2026 | Italy Play-off Preview
BERGAMO, Italy – Northern Ireland face a monumental task on Thursday evening as they travel to Italy for a World Cup play-off semi-final, . For Swansea City midfielder Ethan Galbraith, the fixture represents the biggest game of his career, a sentiment echoing the weight of the opportunity before Michael O’Neill’s squad: a chance to reach the finals in North America.
The stakes are undeniably high. A victory in Bergamo would propel Northern Ireland into a further play-off against either Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina, bringing them within touching distance of a first World Cup appearance since . Galbraith, who was an unused substitute when Northern Ireland secured a memorable 0-0 draw against Italy at Windsor Park in , acknowledges the challenge but remains optimistic. “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,” he told BBC Sport NI.
The 24-year-old’s perspective is particularly poignant, reflecting a journey from watching the World Cup in South Africa as a young fan to being on the cusp of potentially playing in the tournament himself. “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.”
Northern Ireland’s path to this point wasn’t without its hurdles. Finishing third in their qualifying group, they navigated a difficult campaign that included encounters with Germany. Galbraith believes those matches, despite resulting in defeats, provided valuable preparation for the Italian test. “You have to prepare for their [Italy] best team and we did that with Germany,” he explained. “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 move out and provide it 100%, we can be a match for anyone.”
However, O’Neill’s team will be without key players, including Conor Bradley and Dan Ballard, adding to the complexity of the task. Italy, too, have injury concerns, with midfielder Sandro Tonali missing Newcastle United’s recent match against Sunderland due to a groin injury. Despite this, Galbraith insists Northern Ireland are focusing on preparing for the strongest possible Italian side, recognizing the pressure the hosts will be under to qualify for their first World Cup since .
“The pressure is more on Italy than us,” Galbraith stated. “We can go out and play how we play. They’re absolutely expected to win but I think we’ve shown we can go toe-to-toe with top teams.” This sentiment underscores a pragmatic approach from the Northern Irish camp, aiming to exploit any vulnerabilities and capitalize on their own strengths.
Adding an unexpected dimension to the team’s preparations, Galbraith revealed he’s been receiving motivational talks from an unlikely source: US rap star Snoop Dogg, who recently acquired a stake in Swansea City. The rapper visited the club last month, engaging with players and offering words of encouragement.
The match in Bergamo is set to be a tense affair, with Italy desperate to avoid a third consecutive World Cup absence after failing to qualify for the and tournaments, despite their European Championship triumph in between. The weight of expectation will undoubtedly fall on the Azzurri, but Northern Ireland are determined to embrace the challenge and seize their opportunity.
For Galbraith and his teammates, Thursday’s game is more than just a football match; it’s a chance to write themselves into Northern Irish sporting history. The broadcast details confirm extensive coverage, with the game available on BBC iPlayer, BBC One NI, and BBC Three, starting at . Live commentary will also be available on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster, alongside in-play clips on the BBC Sport app and website. A special preview show featuring Italy and Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola will air on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport app and website on , from .