Italy women's team challenges Belarus in Tbilisi for the World Cup

Tomorrow, at 18:15, the Italian Women's team will face Belarus on the neutral ground of Tbilisi, at the David Petriashvili Stadium, with live coverage on Rai 2. It is the first leg of the first round of the play‑offs for next year's World Cup qualifiers.

The David Petriashvili Stadium was chosen as a neutral venue to ensure balanced conditions for both teams. The match is the first of a two‑leg tie that will decide who will progress to the final stage of the play‑offs. A victory will secure the advantage of playing the second leg with a favorable result.

The return leg will take place on Tuesday, at the same time, in Florence, where the Azzurre will try to simplify the path towards qualification. The Italian public will follow the match closely, hoping for a result that keeps qualification hopes alive. A positive result in Tbilisi will make the challenge on Italian soil easier.

Suspensions and match conditions

Belarus is ranked 52nd in the FIFA Ranking, and the match will be played behind closed doors. Arianna Caruso and Angelica Soffia will be unavailable due to suspension, and three other players have been omitted from the squad list. The Belarusian team is known for its defensive discipline, making the match even more challenging.

“We are preparing for this match by trying to exploit our playing ideas, the desire to dominate and fiercely win back the ball,” head coach Andrea Soncin explained at the press conference. “We have the qualities to manage possession, but mental toughness will be needed to get through all phases of the match.”

“The challenge against Belarus is being prepared for like a match from inside or out, a final where every detail counts and where a lot of energy and determination are required,” defender Martina Lenzini commented. “Being back in the national team is always wonderful and fills us with pride; we are even more motivated for these games.”

The prize at stake

The winner of this two‑leg tie will meet Serbia or Finland in the final to secure a place at next summer’s World Cup in Brazil. The World Cup will be held in Brazil next summer, providing a global stage for the qualified national teams.

The contrast between the match in a hostile setting in Tbilisi and the return leg in Italy highlights the importance of a solid performance, especially in light of the absences, to keep the hope of World Cup participation alive.