Italy missed the 2022 World Cup entirely — and the humiliation burned. The Azzurri arrive in 2026 with fury in their eyes. Croatia are 2018 finalists still capable of going deep. Africa brings Ivory Coast's Lions and Ghana's Black Stars. This group is deceptively tough.
Four-time world champions with a 2022 qualifying disaster to forget. This Azzurri generation — Barella, Chiesa, Raspadori — wants to prove that miss was an aberration. Italy are organized, technically brilliant and motivated by humiliation. That's a dangerous combination.
Modric's final World Cup — possibly. Whether he plays or not, Croatia have built the depth to compete without their captain. 2018 finalists, 2022 third-place. Croatia in tournaments is always a story that ends later than anyone expects.
The Elephants have the Premier League and Ligue 1 pedigree to match any team in this group. Haller, Zaha, Gradel — goals come from everywhere. Ivory Coast reached the AFCON semi-finals and they know how to win knockout football.
The Black Stars have a tradition of near misses and dramatic moments at World Cups. A youthful squad built around Premier League talent looks to go further than any Ghanaian side before. They play with pace, aggression and heart.
Italy's experience and motivation makes them favourites. Croatia provide the stiffest European challenge — the Modric era isn't over yet. Ivory Coast have the talent to take second from Croatia. Ghana add African intensity without quite the quality to progress from this group.
Two of the World Cup's great tactical teams. Italy's defensive organization against Croatia's midfield quality and Modric's vision. A match decided by fine margins. The winner almost certainly tops the group — the loser still qualifies but faces a brutal knockout path.
Italian women fans are passionate beyond measure. Ghanaian and Ivorian supporters bring colour and noise. Group J is a fiesta. Find your person.
Meet Women Who Live For Football Nights →| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 18, 2026 | 🇮🇹 Italy vs 🇬🇠Ghana | Rose Bowl, Los Angeles |
| Jun 18, 2026 | ðŸ‡ðŸ‡· Croatia vs 🇨🇮 Ivory Coast | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami |
| Jun 22, 2026 | 🇮🇹 Italy vs 🇨🇮 Ivory Coast | AT&T Stadium, Dallas |
| Jun 23, 2026 | ðŸ‡ðŸ‡· Croatia vs 🇬🇠Ghana | MetLife Stadium, New York |
| Jun 27, 2026 | 🇮🇹 Italy vs ðŸ‡ðŸ‡· Croatia | Rose Bowl, Los Angeles |
| Jun 27, 2026 | 🇨🇮 Ivory Coast vs 🇬🇠Ghana | Levi's Stadium, San Francisco |
The Azzurri's return deserves to be shared. Find your football-night partner — thousands of women are here and ready.
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