Ep. 67: Will Italy Miss the World Cup AGAIN? | Playoff Preview

Will Italy really miss a third consecutive World Cup? That’s the big question heading into the 2026 FIFA World Cup playoffs — and the path ahead looks anything but easy.In this episode, I break down the full playoff picture: from the European qualification paths and key semifinal matchups to the intercontinental playoffs that will decide the final spots for the tournament. Who are the favorites, where are the potential shocks, and which teams are under the most pressure?Beyond the playoffs, I also dive into two major international storylines: the controversial decision by CAF to overturn the AFCON final result in Morocco’s favor, and the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Iran’s potential participation at the World Cup amid geopolitical tensions.A packed international episode covering qualification drama, controversy, and the bigger picture of world football right now.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Use this RSS Link to never miss an episode in your favorite podcast app: https://anchor.fm/s/f9d49078/podcast/rss You can also find me on YouTube: @MySoccerUniverseFootballTalk Also, check out my main Youtube channel @MySoccerUniverse If you want to hear my takes on the Austrian Bundesliga in general, and my team LASK in particular and understand German, you can subscribe to my other podcast, too: @MeinLASKUniversum or https://anchor.fm/s/107a5b448/podcast/rss ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#WorldCup2026#Italy#WorldCupPlayoffs#InternationalFootball#UEFA#FIFA#AFCON#Iran#FootballAnalysis#SoccerTalk#Qualification#FootballDrama00:00 Intro01:46 Will Italy fail again? 🇮🇹07:25 UEFA World Cup Playoffs breakdown13:46 Intercontinental Playoffs preview16:13 AFCON final controversy (CAF decision)22:07 Will Iran go to the World Cup?27:22 Final thoughts