Italy secured a top-three finish in its UEFA Nations League group after defeating Turkey 3–1 in Bologna, guaranteeing the Azzurri a pot-one seeding for the European Championship qualification draw.
Bologna Victory Secures Pot-One Seeding
The success at the Stadio Dall’Ara ensured Italy avoided the fourth and last place in Group 1, building on a prior 4–1 victory over Turkey in Bursa, according to Eurosport.it. That finish locked in a seeding status for the upcoming draw scheduled for December 6 in Belfast, Northern Ireland, as noted by La Gazzetta dello Sport. OA Sport confirmed that the Azzurri sit on 7 points after four matches, rendering last-placed Turkey mathematically unable to bridge the gap in the remaining fixtures.
The Teams Italy Avoids in Qualifying
By securing a spot among the 12 seeded teams, Italy bypasses several European heavyweights in the qualification groups for Euro 2028. La Gazzetta dello Sport outlined that Portugal, the Netherlands, Greece, France, Spain, and England have already clinched pot-one status and will land in separate groups from the Azzurri. Meanwhile, OA Sport highlighted that the remaining five seeded positions will be finalized following the conclusion of the final group stage matches in November.
Italy Trails France in Group 1 Standings
Italy currently occupies second place in Group 1 behind France—managed by Zinedine Zidane—with the two sides set to meet at San Siro on November 12, as reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport. Eurosport.it detailed the group table with France leading on 10 points and a +5 goal difference, followed by Italy with 7 points and a +3 difference, Belgium with 6 points, and Turkey at the bottom. Finishing atop the group remains a priority, as League A group winners gain the added advantage of entering four-team qualification groups rather than five-team groups, reducing fixture congestion and competitive risk.
Potential Rivals Across Seeding Tiers
With 180 minutes remaining in the first phase of the Nations League, the provisional seeding tiers offer an early look at potential opponents for the December draw. La Gazzetta dello Sport outlined the early tier projections:
- Second Pot: Switzerland (with Croatia and Norway currently on the bubble)
- Third Pot: Romania, North Macedonia
- Fourth Pot: Armenia, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Latvia, San Marino
- Fifth Pot: Malta, Azerbaijan, Lithuania, Gibraltar, Andorra, Liechtenstein
La Gazzetta dello Sport noted that heavyweights like Croatia and Norway risk slipping into pot two, making them dangerous opponents to avoid, while Bosnia also projects into the second tier.
Schedule for Euro 2028 Qualifiers
The path to the European Championship begins at different times depending on Nations League progression. Eurosport.it and La Gazzetta dello Sport reported that teams eliminated from the knockout phases will start their qualification campaigns in March 2027. Sides advancing deeper into the competition or participating in promotion-relegation play-offs will begin their qualification fixtures on September 23, 2027.
Is the Euro 2028 Qualification Draw?
When and where is the Euro 2028 qualification draw?
The draw takes place on December 6 in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where the 12 seeded teams and group pairings will be assigned.
:focal(186x71:188x69)/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2026/09/28/image-7ddb6e22-55fc-482d-9794-3f0ea564df3e-85-2560-1440.jpeg "Photo: Eurosport.it")
When do Italy’s qualification matches begin?
Italy’s start date depends on its final finish in the Nations League group and potential progression to the knockout rounds or play-offs, with matches slated for either March 2027 or September 23, 2027.
What determines the 12 seeded teams for the draw?
The 12 top-tier seeding positions are awarded to the first, second, and third-place finishers across the four groups of League A in the UEFA Nations League.
Worth a look
