How to Watch Today’s Italy vs. Northern Ireland World Cup Qualifier Match In the U.S.

By Oscar Hartzog

Oscar Hartzog

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Just six spots remain in the 2026 World Cup. Today, Italy and Northern Ireland will face off at New Balance Arena in Bergamo to keep their chances alive.

The Azzurri are looking to end a 12-year absence from soccer’s biggest tournament, and Northern Ireland are hoping for their first entry since 1986. The winner will play either Wales or Bosnia & Herzegovina on Tuesday to secure a berth in the World Cup.

At a Glance: How to Watch Italy vs. Northern Ireland Soccer Match

• Stream: Paramount+, BBC iPlayer with a VPN
• Date, time: Thursday, March 26 at 3:45 p.m. ET

Italy, 13th in FIFA rankings, is the favorite to advance. Northern Ireland is ranked 69th. The squads also met in a 2022 World Cup qualifier that saw Italy win 2-0.

How to Watch Italy vs. Northern Ireland World Cup Qualifier Match: U.S. TV, Streaming, VPN

The Italy vs. Northern Ireland World Cup qualifier is not airing on any TV channel in the U.S., but will be available to stream on Paramount+. If you have a VPN, you can also stream Italy vs. Northern Ireland for free by connecting to the U.K.’s BBC iPlayer. Here’s a breakdown of these two options:

1. Stream Italy vs. Northern Ireland on Paramount+

Paramount+ will offer an Italy vs. Northern Ireland livestream for U.S. viewers. The streaming service offers a seven-day free trial, and plans normally start at $8.99 a month after that. However, right now, Paramount+ is running a massive sale: Now through March 31, you can get either Paramount+ plan for just $2.99/month for your first two months.

2. Stream Italy vs. Northern Ireland on BBC iPlayer with a VPN

Another way to watch the Italy vs. Northern Ireland World Cup qualifier in the U.S. is with a VPN (virtual private network). A VPN service will let you connect to the U.K.’s BBC iPlayer and access the free Italy vs. Northern Ireland livestream offered to fans in Britain. If you don’t already have a VPN, it’s a good idea to get one for more World Cup coverage this year. ExpressVPN and NordVPN are two of our favorites, starting at less than $4 a month. Plus, both services offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.

When Is the Italy vs. Northern Ireland World Cup Qualifier Match?

The Italy vs. Northern Ireland World Cup qualifier is happening on Thursday, March 26. The match starts at 3:45 p.m. ET.