Meret: ‘Italy are ready’ for Bosnia and 2026 World Cup play-off
Goalkeeper Alex Meret assures Italy ‘are ready’ for tonight’s World Cup play-off final with Bosnia and Herzegovina. ‘Every moment could be decisive.’
It kicks off at the Stadion Bilino Polje in Zenica at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT, 20.45 CEST).
You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.
Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean were on target in the 2-0 semi-final victory over Northern Ireland, and Gennaro Gattuso has decided to stick with the same starting XI here.
Meret sees right Italy attitude
“The moment has arrived, we are ready, and we know it won’t be easy against a tough Bosnia team,” Meret told RAI Sport and Sky Sport Italia.
“It’s a difficult match, but we are ready and want to bring home a very important result. Every moment could be decisive, so the attitude and focus on details is essential. We’ve got to start strong and earn this result.”
Bosnia and Herzegovina had to play a full 120 minutes in Cardiff on Thursday, as Edin Dzeko’s late equaliser forced extra time and an eventual penalty shoot-out victory to eliminate Wales.
Their one and only World Cup participation was in 2014.
“We feel the right focus and desire to help each other out. We are all united for this objective, and I think we’ve got the right atmosphere,” added Meret.
“I’ve been in the Nazionale a long time, so I’ve seen a lot here, but we’ve never had such an important match as this. Bosnia have two very dangerous wingers and good strikers, we all know Edin Dzeko, but we feel ready.”
The winner will be decided after 90 minutes, or through extra time and even a penalty shoot-out if needed.
Whoever goes through will be placed in World Cup group B with Canada, Switzerland and Qatar.